GULF SHORES, Ala. - Dalton State women's track & field turned in a complete team effort at the 2026 SSAC Championships, highlighted by two runner-up finishes from Kylie Gray and multiple top-eight performances across the track and in the field. Gray earned All-SSAC Second Team honors after placing second in both the 5,000 meters (18:46.58) and the 10,000 meters (39:58.95), pacing a strong showing from the Roadrunners' distance crew.
 
DISTANCE GROUP DELIVERS BIG POINTS
Dalton State's best finishes of the meet came on the distance side, where Gray consistently raced near the front of the field. Her silver-medal performances in the 5K and 10K anchored the Roadrunners and set the tone for a productive weekend on the oval.
 
The Roadrunners also stacked solid finishes behind Gray in the longer events. Marlene Paez posted a top-10 result in the 5,000 meters, taking ninth (19:29.95), and returned in the 10,000 meters to finish seventh (41:32.59). Allison Batts placed 10th in the 5,000 meters with a time of 19:35.76.
 
In the middle distances, Kate Girard led Dalton State in the 800 meters, finishing ninth (2:33.99), while Batts followed in 14th (2:37.88) and Madison Todd placed 18th (2:47.34). The 1,500 meters featured another strong group performance with Kylie Gray taking sixth (5:15.75) to lead the Roadrunners, followed by Batts (10th, 5:24.05), Girard (12th, 5:24.99), and Todd (13th, 5:29.62).
 
STEEPLECHASE STANDOUT
Girard produced one of Dalton State's top individual finishes of the meet in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, placing fourth in 13:46.65. Todd also delivered a strong effort in the event, earning fifth (14:04.19) to give the Roadrunners two high finishes in the steeple.
 
SPRINTS & RELAYS SHOW DEPTH AND PROGRESS
Dalton State's sprint group was led by Kelsey Eubanks, who turned in consistent performances across three events. Eubanks placed 11th in the 100 meters (12.73), 10th in the 200 meters (26.16), and added an eighth-place finish in the 400 meters (1:00.70).
 
In the 100 meters, the Roadrunners also received efforts from Alexys Hines (14th, 13.06), Ellie McGhee (23rd, 13.30), and Taylor Harris (16th, 13.76). In the 200 meters, Dalton State placed multiple athletes in close succession, with Kylie Campbell (15th, 27.94), Hines (16th, 28.09), and Harris (17th, 28.55) joining Eubanks on the results sheet. Harris and Campbell also competed in the 400 meters, finishing 11th (1:04.07) and 13th (1:05.34), respectively.
 
The Roadrunners' relay teams added more quality performances:

• 4x100 Relay — 5th, McGhee, Hines, Campbell, Eubanks — 51.44
• 4x400 Relay — 6th, Harris, Campbell, Girard, Eubanks — 4:27.32
• 4x800 Relay — 6th, Batts, Gray, Todd, Girard — 10:20.36

FIELD EVENTS: LANE AND CAMPBELL LEAD THE WAY
Dalton State also made an impact in the field events, led by Emily Lane, who produced a fifth-place finish in the discus (35.75m / 117'3") and added an eighth-place result in the javelin (29.49m / 96'7").
 
In the jumps, Kylie Campbell cleared 1.52m to place seventh in the high jump, while Alexys Hines competed in the long jump and finished 11th (4.73m / 15'5").
 
NOTABLE ROADRUNNER HIGHLIGHTS

• Kylie Gray — 2nd in the 5,000m (18:46.58); 2nd in the 10,000m (39:58.95); All-SSAC Second Team (5K/10K)
• Kate Girard — 4th in the 3,000m steeplechase (13:46.65); key leg on 4x400 (6th) and 4x800 (6th)
• Emily Lane — 5th in discus (35.75m); 8th in javelin (29.49m)

Relay Units — 4x100 (5th, 51.44); 4x400 (6th, 4:27.32); 4x800 (6th, 10:20.36)
 
UP NEXT
The Lady Roadrunners will train and condition during the off season and pick up in the Fall with sights set on an SSAC Cross Country Championship.

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