MOREHEAD, Ky. — It has been several years since the Morehead State track and field team had a track-specific performer. On Friday,
Ginger Hayden ushered in a new age of Eagle athletics as the first long jumper in the rebirth of MSU track and field.
In Morehead State's first indoor track and field competition of the season, the Marshall Opener, which took place at the Jeff Small Track in the Chris Cline Indoor Athletics Complex in Huntington, W.Va., Hayden claimed fifth in a field of 12 after recording a leap of 5.08 meters (16'08.00").
"Today was good and I am proud to present Morehead for jumping. I'm glad I went to the meet and was able to get the jitters out for my first college meet," Hayden said.
The freshman from Cobb Island, Md., via Croatan, N.C., gradually improved on nearly each one of her six jumps. In her first two attempts, she leaped 4.90m and 4.92m, before fouling on her third try.
The fourth effort yielded a mark of 5.06, which put her within one-tenth of a meter of third place. After she recorded 5.03m on her fifth attempt, she landed her best effort of the evening (5.08m) on her final jump.
"My first attempt, I was behind the board. So I moved closer to the board, which in return allowed me to jump farther distances," she added.
Marshall's Lara Check won the event with a mark of 5.59m (18'04.25"), which came on her third jump. The University of Charleston's Laura Delgado de Torres was second at 5.29m (17'04.25") was second, with Campbellsville (Ky.) University's Alexa Boyd in third at 5.27m (17'03.50"). Former Morgan County Lady Cougar and current Thundering Herd junior, Krista Perry, was fourth at 5.23m (17'02.00").
"Ginger did well for an opener. This is her first competition in roughly eight months, so it is a good starting point," said MSU head coach
Clay Dixon. "We think she can progress well this season."
Morehead State had one other entry at the meet, redshirt sophomore
Micah Gray in the 300-meter dash.
Running in heat No. 3, Gray placed 12th overall in 39.44. Marshall's Emihr White won the event in 35.63.
"Micah hasn't done many sprint events in the past, but looked good for December," Dixon said.
It was the fourth time in the last 15 seasons MSU began its indoor season in the fall semester.
Unlike in years past, the meet was not scored. Four teams, including host Marshall participated.
The Eagles will take off for winter break and be back in Huntington, W.Va., for their next meet, the Marshall Alumni Classic, on Saturday, Jan. 13.
