Track team struggles, but looks ahead to tourney

The East Tennessee State men's and women's track and field teams were in action Saturday at the Penn State Sykes & Sabock Challenge Cup, held at Penn State University.

For the Buccaneers, it was the last tune up before the Conference meet in two weeks. However, the tune up turned out to be a challenge for both squads.

After posting 15 top-five finishes in last week's home meet — Niswonger Invitational — ETSU struggled to finish in the top five this week.

Sophomore sprinter Ifrish Alberg recorded his first victory of the season, winning the 60-meter dash in 6.78 seconds.

His performance was a new personal best and an Atlantic Sun leading time.

Katerina Vodova had the second-best finish of the weekend, as she placed third in the pentathlon with 3,698 points, which is a new personal best for the multi-athlete.

The freshman picked up wins in the high jump (5'7.25") and shot put (39'6"), and had third-place showing in the long jump (17'9.75").

Also competing in the pentathlon was fellow sophomore Taylor Story, who took fifth with 3,090 points.

Lexie Burley, a sophomore, finished fourth in the long jump and fifth in the triple jump, with marks of 18'2.50" and 39'2.50", respectively.

Burley earned a personal best in the long jump.

East Tennessee State will take the weekend off before returning home to host the Atlantic Sun Championships on Feb. 17-18.