HARRISONBURG, Va. - The Tennessee State women's track and field team competed in the James Madison University Invite on Saturday, putting their talents on display at Sentara Park.
 
The Tigerbelles faced tough competition from schools across the region in the one-day meet. However, they rose to the challenge, with impressive performances in various events including sprints, hurdles, jumps, and throws.
 
Starting with the women's 100 meters, Miracle Johnson finished sixth with a time of 12.27 seconds, Janiyah Townsend finished ninth at 12.45, Catherine Forbes finished 12th at 12.51, India Smith finished 13th at 12.59, and Nakira Gage finished 17th at 12.85.
 
In the women's 200 meters, Forbes finished ninth at 24.95 seconds, Miracle Johnson finished 10th at 25.06, Townsend finished 19th at 25.43, Smith finished 22nd at 25.85, Sydney McGee finished 24th at 26.07, and Elaina Housworth finished 29th at 27.02.
 
In the women's 400 meters, Sanura Branigan finished third with a time of 55.52 seconds, Serenity Harry finished ninth at 57.54, and McGee finished 14th at 58.91.
 
Natalya Bryant finished 13th in the women's 100-meter hurdles with a time of 15.12 seconds, Bailey Smith finished 16th at 15.48, and Alayna Darrett finished 20th at 15.77.
 
In the women's 400-meter hurdles, Quinn Hudson finished 10th with a time of 1:09.90, and Bailey Smith finished 13th at 1:16.37.
 
In the women's high jump, sophomore Alayna Darrett cleared a height of 1.60m (5'3") to finish in 7th place. Darrett had a strong showing, clearing every height up to 1.60m on her first attempt before failing to clear 1.65m.
 
In the women's long jump, Housworth finished in 6th place with a mark of 5.35m (17'6.75"), while Bryant finished in 13th place with a mark of 5.02m (16'5.75"). Bryant's mark came in the first flight of the event, while Housworth's mark came in the second flight. Housworth's best jump of the day came on her fourth attempt, where she recorded a wind-legal mark of 5.35m.
 
In the women's triple jump, Housworth had another strong showing, finishing in 6th place with a mark of 11.69m (38'4.25"). Forbes finished in 8th place with a mark of 11.49m (37'8.5"), while Darrett finished in 9th place with a mark of 11.15m (36'7").
 
In the women's shot put, freshman Ayana Pugh and senior Maleah Decuir represented Tennessee State. Pugh finished in 7th place with a mark of 12.21m (40'0.75"), while DeCuir finished in 9th place with a mark of 11.83m (38'9.75"). Both athletes had their best marks on their third attempt.

Finally, in the women's hammer throw, Decuir had a strong showing, finishing in 6th place with a mark of 47.27m (155'1"). Pugh finished in 11th place with a mark of 39.29m (128'11").
 
The Tigerbelles will be back in action April 28-29 when they head to Vanderbilt to compete in the Music City Challenge.