CHARLESTON, Ill. - - Belmont University women's track & field heads to Eastern Illinois May 13-15 to compete in the 2021 Ohio Valley Conference Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
With the pandemic taking away 2020 spring sport championships, nearly two years of anticipation has built for OVC member schools to showcase their talents on the league's biggest stage.
The Bruins, currently ranked 22nd in the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) South Region poll, are expected to contend for event titles in as many as 12 disciplines, with arguably their deepest team of the NCAA Division I era.
Senior Adreanna Parlette (Nashville, Tenn.) stands to contend in three events, including her signature event of long jump. The Jacksonville University transfer posted a jaw-dropping mark of 6.50m at the Joey Haines Invitational, far and away the league standard and among national leaders all season. Parlette also enters the weekend second in the OVC in high jump and third in the 110 meter hurdles.
After earning cross country All-OVC honors earlier this spring, sophomore Lily Hallum (Mason, Ohio) is poised for more hardware this weekend. Hallum posted a time of 2:10.79 in the 800 meters at the Joe Walker Invitational, fractions off the top qualifying time in the OVC. She is also expected to earn points in the 1500 meters.
Elsewhere, senior Caroline Pruitt (Allen, Texas) looks to add to a strong season in the 400 meter hurdles. The native Texan posted a time of 1:01.51 at Vanderbilt last month and could earn gold with another stellar race.
In the circle, freshman Rebekah Stucker (Odessa, Mo.) matches Parlette with her prowess in three events. Stucker's mark of 49.15m in the discuss at the Margaret Simmons Invitational paces the OVC, while big points are also likely in the shot put and hammer throw.
Daily and on demand video streams from O'Brien Field will be available on ESPN+.
Belmont fans are invited to follow the program's official social media accounts for updates throughout the meet.
2021 OVC Outdoor Championships Central
