COLUMBUS, Ga.- Fort Valley State University track and field opened the 2025 outdoor season at the J.D. Evilsizer Invitational hosted by Columbus State University. 

The Wildcat women highlighted the field events. Diamond Richardson displayed explosive power in the shot put event throwing a 12.21m mark. Richardson threw almost a meter further than her closest competitor, Janih'ya Campbell from Clark Atlanta University, Richardson also fared well in discus tossing a 34.71m mark just .03m short of second place. FVSU continued to show out with a first place finish in the long jump event. Aquila Kerr nabbed first jumping to a mark of 5.56m beating out two athletes from Clark Atlanta. 

The Wildcat women moved to the track events and snagged yet another first place finish coming in the 100m hurdles. Briana Madison displayed superb technique with a 15.56 finish surpassing athletes from Clark Atlanta and Alabany State University. Fort Valley earned a third place finish in the 3k as Jenna Jones paced a 16:23.36. To cap off the top finishers for the women, D'liyah Austell secured a second place finish in the 100m with a swift 12.08 time.

The Fort Valley men excelled in the field events with a dominating performance in discus. Christian Ector and Soloman Hall placed first and second, respectively. Ector exhibited excellent strength with a 41.44m throw for the win. Hall nabbed the second place finish with a powerful 40.39m toss. The fleet-footed Travis Moore II secured a second place finish in long jump with a 6.84m mark to round out the top finishers for the men. 

Wildcat track and field hits the road for the River Race Relays in Jacksonville, Fla. They will compete Friday, March 7 and Saturday, March 8.