CONWAY, S.C. - Austin Peay State University women's track and field team finished on a high note at the Coastal Carolina Invitational, the season's first outdoor meet.

Senior Chiamaka Obi was one of the day's top performers, winning the 400-meter dash at 55.47, a time faster than any recorded last season. Obi picked up her second top-10 finish, with an eight-place finish (25.52) in the 200-meter dash. She was one of several personal bests set by the Lady Govs in the Invite's final day.

Also in the sprints, Austin Peay got a 10th-place finish in the 200-meter dash by Jasmine Scott and a seventh-place finish in the 100-meters by Cenitra Hudson. Scott also finished 10th in the 100-meters, as well.

"That was a great opener by Obi," head coach Dough Molnar said. " She finished strong and probably still had a little left in the tank, so that's a real good start for her. Cenitra's 100-meter time was better than anytime we had last year and Jasmine was consistently in the top-10. That's big, because there were 30 teams in this meet and a lot of athletes."

Courtney Jordan had a personal best in the shot put and also made her career's second best throw in the discus, good enough for a fifth-place finish. Caitlin Tassel had a top-10 finish in the pole vault, despite struggle through her first attempt. Leigha Tolliver was sixth in the triple jump, but the rest of the jumpers seemed to struggle in the outdoor field.

"It's a little different being outdoors, but we seem more comfortable," Molnar said. "I think it's because we don't have an indoor facility, so our mindset is a little stronger outside. Leigha's jump was an outdoor personal best, so it's good to see her getting back on track."

The distance runners also performed well, with Xiamar Richards coming in seventh in the 1500-meter run and Janalle Avery finishing close behind.

"Overall, it was a good outdoor meet for us," Molar said. "Xiamar and Janelle are going to be a tough pair and I'm pleased with our effort today. We still have to get our jumpers going, but I'm liking what I saw today."

-AP-