BOONE, N.C. - Appalachian State track and field will be in action Friday, when they host the Appalachian Open at the Holmes Convocation Center in Boone. Friday's meet marks the first home meet for the Mountaineers in 2010.

Both teams will be looking to build upon strong finishes at last Friday's Tar Heel Invite in Chapel Hill. The men and women both claimed third place finishes in Chapel Hill, providing a good foundation to build upon as the Apps move into the 2010 indoor season.

Several individuals had standout performances at Chapel Hill last week including junior Malcolm Styers and senior Whitney Smyre. Styers was named SoCon Track Athlete of the Week after taking home first place in the weight throw and fifth in the shot put. Smyre won the same award on the women's side after claiming both the weight throw and shot put crowns at the Tar Heel Invite. Other top performers for the Apps included: Ashley Beale and Julie Ward ( t-1st, pole vault), Kiara Crutchfield (1st, long jump) Danielle Thorpe (1st, triple jump), Tim Daly (2nd, weight throw) Patrick Morgan (2nd, mile run), Landon Powell (3rd, 60m dash), Nick O'Keefe (3rd, 800m), Matt Boruff and Darius Purcell (t-4th, high jump).

The Appalachian Open is slated to begin at 3 p.m. Friday. Check GoASU.com for full results from the Appalachian Open and all the latest in Mountaineer Athletics.

Participating Teams:
Appalachian State
Emory
Lees-McRae
Winthrop
Winston-Salem State
Mars Hill
UNC Asheville
Anderson University
Gardner-Webb
Guilford
Montreat
Chattahoochee Tech
Milligan