Austin Peay Track Star Mallory Hodge Wins 200M at Georgia Tech Invitational

Hodge's personal-best time leads Governors' strong showing on final day of meet.

Apr. 19, 2026 at 3:38am

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An extreme close-up of a female track athlete sprinting, with vibrant neon brushstrokes capturing the explosive energy and motion of the race.Mallory Hodge's personal-best 200-meter victory highlights Austin Peay's strong showing at the Georgia Tech Invitational.Atlanta Today

Austin Peay State University senior sprinter Mallory Hodge won the 200-meter dash with a personal-best time of 23.33 seconds at the Georgia Tech Invitational in Atlanta. Hodge's victory highlighted a successful final day for the Governors' track and field team, which saw several other personal and season-best performances.

Why it matters

Hodge's standout performance in the 200m continues her strong senior season and builds momentum for the Governors as they prepare for the upcoming Vanderbilt Music City Challenge meet. The team's overall depth and improvement across multiple events bodes well for their chances of success in the postseason.

The details

In addition to Hodge's 200m win, the Governors had several other top finishes on the day. Seven Pettus and Isis Banks both set personal records in the 200m, finishing second and third behind Hodge. Emma Tucker had a season-best throw in the discus, while China Giaimo set a personal best. The Govs also had three top-15 finishes in the 400m, led by Taylin Segree's ninth-place showing.

  • The Georgia Tech Invitational took place on Saturday, April 18, 2026.
  • Mallory Hodge's 200m victory set a new personal best time for the senior sprinter.

The players

Mallory Hodge

A senior sprinter for the Austin Peay State University track and field team who won the 200-meter dash at the Georgia Tech Invitational with a personal-best time of 23.33 seconds.

Seven Pettus

An Austin Peay track and field athlete who set a personal record in the 200-meter dash, finishing second behind teammate Mallory Hodge.

Isis Banks

An Austin Peay track and field athlete who set a personal record in the 200-meter dash, finishing third behind teammates Mallory Hodge and Seven Pettus.

Emma Tucker

An Austin Peay track and field athlete who had a season-best throw in the discus at the Georgia Tech Invitational.

China Giaimo

An Austin Peay track and field athlete who set a personal best in an event at the Georgia Tech Invitational.

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What they’re saying

“Mallory Hodge's victory in the 200-meter dash was a highlight of the day for our team. Her personal-best time is a great accomplishment and sets her up well for the rest of the season.”

— Alex Allard, APSU Sports Information

What’s next

The Austin Peay State University track and field team will return to action in two weeks when they compete in the Vanderbilt Music City Challenge meet on May 1-2 in Nashville, Tennessee.

The takeaway

Austin Peay's track and field team demonstrated its depth and improvement across multiple events at the Georgia Tech Invitational, led by Mallory Hodge's standout 200-meter victory. This performance builds momentum for the Governors as they prepare for the upcoming Vanderbilt meet and the postseason.