Albany, GA – The Albany State University Men's and Women's Track & Field teams turned in a commanding performance on Saturday, claiming first place team finishes on both sides at the annual Alice Coachman Invitational, held at the Hampton Smith Fields at the Robert Cross Track & Field Complex. The meet, which honored the legendary Olympic champion and ASU alumna Alice Coachman, showcased the Golden Rams' depth and strength as they gear up for the postseason.
Both teams shined on a day filled with personal bests, national qualifying marks, and standout efforts across track and field events. The meet also featured a Senior Day celebration, honoring the careers and contributions of Albany State's graduating student-athletes.
 
Women's Top Performers
The Lady Golden Rams delivered a stellar collective performance, led by multiple event wins and national qualifying times:

• Julianna Kern captured 1st place in the high jump with a clearance of 1.52m.
• Mykhayla Carroll turned in a strong day in the throws, placing 3rd in the hammer (44.99m), 2nd in the shotput (12.21m), and 2nd in the discus (35.86m).
• The 4x100m relay squad of Dasia Gilyard, Cadence Cray, Taniyah Kelley, and Jeniya Lawrence grabbed 1st place with a national qualifying time of 45.60.
• Dasia Gilyard posted a personal record and national qualifying mark in the 400m dash, finishing 1st in 55.20.
• Cadence Cray took 1st place in the 100m dash with an impressive 11.77.
• Nathalia Rowe continued her dominance in the 400m hurdles, winning with a national qualifying time of 1:00.16.
• The 4x400m relay team of Rowe, Gilyard, Cray, and Zenay Rhaney closed out the day with a victory in 3:50.70.
• Rhaney also secured 2nd in the 800m run (2:18.22), and Taylor Franklin earned 3rd in the 5000m run (21:05.25).

 
Men's Top Performers
The men's team also delivered a balanced and dominant showing, highlighted by event wins in both sprint and distance events:

• Adoni Nembhard-Belcher took 1st in the long jump (7.12m).
• Jayvon Hutchinson continued his strong season, winning the 110m hurdles in 14.40.
• Kibren Moore put together a national qualifying performance in the 100m dash, clocking a 10.25 for 1st place.
• Rayshawn Goodman captured the 800m run title with a time of 1:55.37.
• The 4x400m relay team of Jonathan Kelly, Moore, Malachi Fletcher, and Demario Jackson capped off the meet with a 1st place finish in 3:16.12.
• Notable additional performances included Malachi Fletcher's 4th place in the 400m dash (47.99) and 3rd place in the 200m dash (21.51), and Jordan Smith's 2nd place finish in the 400m hurdles (53.51).

 
 Up Next
With the sweep at the Alice Coachman Invitational, Albany State will now shift its focus to the 2025 SIAC Track & Field Championships, set for April 24–26 in Columbia, SC. The Golden Rams will head into the postseason with confidence and momentum, aiming to capture conference titles on both the men's and women's sides.

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ABOUT ALBANY STATE ATHLETICS
Albany State University is a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II-level intercollegiate athletic program. The university currently field teams in 11 sports: women's volleyball, women's tennis, women's cross country, men's and women's basketball, softball, men's and women's track and field, women's soccer, baseball, and football. All teams compete in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC), except women's soccer, which participates in the Peach Belt Conference.