Elon Track and Field Set to Host the Phoenix Invitational

ELON, N.C. – For the first time in nearly 10 years, the Elon University women’s track and field team will host a home meet on campus with the Phoenix Invitational on Saturday, April 18, at the Irwin Belk Track and Dr. Alan and Norma White Field inside the Jerry and Jeanne Robertson Track and Field Complex.

“We are very excited to be hosting our home meet,” said Elon director of women’s track and field and cross country Mark Elliston. “We haven’t been able to (host a meet) because of the conditions of the track the last few years, but now everyone is ready to go this weekend.”

Prior to this weekend, the Phoenix has not hosted an outdoor collegiate track meet since the Elon Invitational in 2006, a year prior to Elliston’s arrival. Field events are scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. followed by running events at noon.

Live Coverage
Coverage of the meet will be available on Twitter through the team’s handle at @EU_XCTF or at @elonscores. Live results are also available by going to timininginc.com or the program’s schedule page at elonphoenix.com.

Jerry and Jeanne Robertson Track and Field Complex
A major factor in the Phoenix being able to host its first meet in nearly a decade is the contributions made from Jerry and Jeanne Robertson. The Burlington, N.C., couple, who are longtime supporters of Elon University, the Phoenix athletics’ programs and its student-athletes, provided a major gift for improvements to Elon’s track and field facility. Renovations began last summer including a complete track replacement and additional lights for the eight-lane facility. Following the renovations, the facility was named the Jerry and Jeanne Robertson Track and Field Complex in honor of the couple.

“We are so very grateful for the Robertson’s and their contributions to make this possible,” said Elliston. “I speak for everyone in our program in extending our thanks to them for what they have done for this team and our group of athletes.”

Teams in Competition This Weekend
Several other teams and individuals will compete this weekend versus the Phoenix including Belmont Abbey, Catawba, Louisburg College, Methodist, North Carolina Central, Radford, Rider and Wake Forest.

In all, the Phoenix has 26 athletes scheduled to be in competition this weekend. Select members of the Elon men’s cross country team will also participate at the meet.

Last Time Out
Elon competed at the Aggie Invitational last Saturday, April 11, at North Carolina A&T. The Phoenix won three events at the meet and had a few athletes set new personal and school records.

Simone Jackson broke her school-record in the 100-meter dash with a preliminary time of 12.07. She finished seventh overall in the final race with a time of 12.21.

Bryanna Hames won the discus throw with a toss of 148′ 9″ (45.35m) while teammate Bre’anna Warren was the runner-up in the event with a throw of 146′ 0″ (44.50m).

Megan Kirschling won the high jump after clearing the bar with a height of 5′ 8.5″ (1.74m). The Phoenix’s 4×100-meter relay team of Jackson, Jennifer Pash, Bria Turner and Sydney Griffin won its race with a time of 47.64.

Top Marks For the Phoenix
Heading into Saturday’s meet, the maroon and gold has several athletes that have some of the best marks in the Colonial Athletic Association. Elon holds the top spot in seven events on the CAA performance list.

Kimberly Johansen has the league’s fastest times in two events, the 800-meters (2.11.19) and the 1,500-meters (4:27.32). Griffin has a CAA-best time of 13.81 in the 100-meter hurdles while Tereza Novotna’s time of 10:27.14 in the 3,000-meter steeplechase also is tops in the league.

In field and multi-events, Warren leads the CAA in the discus throw with toss of 154’ 6” (47.10m) while Emily Dixon is first in the heptathlon with 4,818 points.

On Deck
The Phoenix preps for its first CAA Outdoor Championship meet on May 1-2 in Williamsburg, Va.