The Bobcats moved one step closer to the level of balance needed to compete for a conference title, and Emily Amendola led the way in record-breaking fashion.
The sophomore from Beach City, Ohio, broke a school record in the hammer throw and registered regional qualifying marks in both the shot put and hammer Saturday at the Ohio Open at Goldsberry Track. On a day when nearly every athlete competed in an unfamiliar event for coach Clay Calkins, Amendola was a rare constant.
Her hammer throw of 180 feet, seven inches was nearly two inches better than the previous record, set in 2006.
“Obviously, it was a pretty good day,” Amendola said. “I felt really good out there, and (qualifying) is something I’ve been pushing for all year. When I saw I could get to that point, I just kept working hard for it.”
The Bobcats won each of the 15 events staged at the Ohio Open, the first time they have done so all season. Jessie Tanner won both the javelin and discus competitions and set a season-best mark in the javelin.
Calkins was optimistic about the state of his team following the meet, but cautioned the competition level will drastically increase next week at the Mid-American Conference Championships.
“We didn’t have a lot of teams there, but the main goal was to get prepared for the MACs,” Calkins said. “The most encouraging thing other than all the first-place finishes was Emily; it’s a huge individual accomplishment for her.”
The distance runners and jumpers showed signs of improvement at last week’s Green and White Invite and continued the upward trend Saturday.
Kristi Sturges won the 200-meters, Lauren Johnson won the 400-meters and the Bobcats’ 4x100 relay team won again. Chanelle Harmon also won the 100-meter dash.
Brittany Vinson won both the long jump and triple jump in one of her best individual performances this season. After being disappointed with her work in the pit last weekend, the two victories were a nice bounce back showing.
“We’re looking good in distance and jumps,” Calkins said. “Things are promising; the distances are getting up there (in jumps) and our people are coming around.”
If they were overlooked before, the throw team of Tanner, Amendola and standout Bahiyjaui Allen are hardly underdogs now. Following two dominating weekends beginning with Allen, the trio should be heavy favorites at the MAC Championship.
“We’re exactly where we want to be,” Amendola said. “Everyone had a good meet this weekend, and we’re right there.
“The three of us have shown all year that we can compete with the best of the best. I’m excited now to go out and prove it.”
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