Track and Field Sweeps Sprint Events at Columbia Challenge

Friday, January 26

New York, N.Y.

12 PM

Georgia Southern University

Dr. Sanders Columbia Challenge

Georgia Southern freshman Naj Watson during the Georgia Southern Track & Field Classic at Eagle Track at Erk Russell Athletic Park on April 29, 2023 in Statesboro, Georgia. (Photograph by AJ Henderson / Georgia Southern Athletics)

Photo by: AJ Henderson - Georgia Southern Athletics

1/27/2024 5:40:00 PM | Track & Field/XC

Eagles total four event wins

NEW YORK, N.Y. – The Georgia Southern track and field team swept the sprints on Friday and Saturday at the Dr. Sanders Columbia Challenge at The Armory. The Eagles took individual titles in the 60m, 200m, 400m and 60m hurdles.

NaJ Watson picked up two event wins in the 60m and 200m. Watson clocked in at 7.44 in the 60m, a new personal best for the third fastest time in program history. She paced the Eagles in the 200m, securing the victory with a time of 24.02.

Alanna Smith set a new personal record in the 400m with a time of 55.25 to take first place in the event and second best in the record book. Makayla Caldwell took first place in the 60m hurdles white division with a time of 8.78, followed by second place finisher Kennadi Reed (8.92).

Emani George equaled a personal best time of 7.69 in the 60m white division. Kennedy Hood set a personal best in the long jump (5.82) and Sofia Molina set a new personal record in the 800m with a time of 2:16.07. Imani Moore set a new indoor personal record in the triple jump 12.07m for a tenth place finish behind Alexandria Kennedy who finished ninth.

The 4x400 team ended the meet with a second place finish and a season best time of 3:44.95.

Head Coach David Neville Quotable
"I'm very proud of this group of ladies that came up here to New York City. We learned a lot about how we can handle pressure on a bigger stage. We have added some people to the top of the conference list. I'm proud of the way freshmen like Alex Kennedy and Makayla Caldwell showed up! I'm looking forward to our next competition in Birmingham and hope to add some more top performances to our team. We have an amazing group of ladies!"

Next Up
The Eagles travel to Birmingham, Alabama for the Bulldog Invitational Feb. 10 for a final tuneup before the Sun Belt Conference Championships Feb. 19-20.