MOUNT BERRY, Ga. - The Berry College women's track and field team wrapped up the regular indoor portion of their season Saturday at the Samford University Open at the Crossplex in Birmingham, AL. It was the last chance for the Vikings to improve their times and marks before the upcoming SAA Indoor Championships on February 27-28^th at Centre. 

The Throwers got things started on a positive note with numerous standout marks in the Weight Throw. SR Avery Jones extended her lead on the SAA with a new lifetime PR and near record throw of 16.71m to win the event. Jones' throw tops the South Region and is good enough for #16 in the Nation for D3 going into the weekend. SR Teammate Malysha Wintston was close behind throwing a new PR of 15.47m to finish 3^rd overall. JR's Onoyeme Egure and Madeline Campbell placed 5^th and 6^th over all respectively with throws of 14.43m and 14.16m. Campbell's throw was a new lifetime PR. In the Shot Put, it was Egure's turn as she threw a season best 13.58m to take first place overall. That throw extends her lead on the SAA, is #1 in the South Region and #16 in the Nation for D3. Winston placed 3^rd overall in a season best 11.84m and Jones placed 6^th with a toss of 11.51m. FR Maddie Denney was just outside the top 8 with a 9^th place finish and throw of 10.82m.
 
JR Ella Williams led the way for the Distance group, opening up her season with a win in the 3000m. The Junior completed the 15 laps in 10:43.40. SR Leine Burke placed 7^th overall and FR Abby Reams placed right behind in 8^th place. SR Anna Ayers shaved 2 seconds off her lifetime PR in the Mile, placing 4^th with a time of 5:18.84.  JR Olivia Lambert placed 7^th overall in the 800m with a seasons best time of 2:27.41.
 
The Pole Vault duo of JR Ella Pine and FR Laney Ray teamed up for a record breaking performance as both women cleared lifetime PR's of 3.41m on the first attempt to tie for 3^rd place. Their jumps broke the indoor school record of 3.38m previously held by Madeline Hubbert from last year. They both currently share the lead in the SAA in the event and sit at #4 in the Region.
 
Coach Syverson's thoughts: "This was a great way to wrap up our regular indoor season.  It was a season opener for many of our distance runners and they had some great race efforts. While our throwers and vaulters had championship level performances, I was most proud of how the team focused on supporting each other and it sets them up well for SAA's in two weeks."