JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – On the opening day of the David E. Walker Invitational at East Tennessee State University, Georgia State had a pair of first-place finishes to highlight the opening night's four events.
In the weight throw, LaPorscha Wells finished first among the 17 throwers with a distance of 18.71m (61-04.75). In the 5,000m run, Stephanie Berger broke the tape to top the 10 runners with a time of 17:49.63.
In the 200m race, Ravin Gilbert was third among the 45 runners in 24.85 and in the long jump, Katherine Randolph was sixth among the 27 jumpers with her leap of 5.71m (18-9). Randolph's jump bested the school indoor record of Gabby Brooks in 2013 of 5.69m 18-6 3/4. Randolph also got an eighth-place finish in the 200m in 25.34 with Jada Steward 12th in 25.62.
Also in the weight throw, Tracy Dorcemont was third with 18.09m (59-4.25) and Alysiah Whittaker 10th with a throw of 14.88m (48-10).
In the 5,000m, Sammi Donovan followed Berger across the line to place second in 18:28.82, with Jordan Townsley on her shoulder at 18:29.75 in third. Nuria Ramirez and Morgan Laushey were fourth and fifth to give GSU a sweep.
The Walker Invitational continues Saturday with GSU competing in nine more events.
