Several Southland Athletes Perform Well at New Balance Invitational in New York
Teddy Williams Continues Impressive Performances
Two-time All-American Teddy Williams made a triumphant return to The Big Apple on Friday, as the senior from Tyler won the 60-meter dash at the prestigious New Balance Invitational.
Racing in a field that included two of the top five sprinters in the country - Texas A&M's Gerald Phiri and Tennessee's Evander Wells - Williams crossed the line a season-best and NCAA provisional 6.61 in defeating Phiri by a mere one one-thousandth of a second. He moved up to a second-place tie on the national leaderboard and now trails only Rondel Sorrillo of Kentucky, who clocked a 6.60 in winning the Virginia Tech Elite meet in Blacksburg, Va., on Friday. It was a year ago at this meet that Williams had his coming-out party, so to speak, when he set a Southland Conference record with his runner-up 6.61 to then-national leader Trindon Holliday of LSU.
Sophomore Kayla Pratt broke a 14-year-old school record in the 5,000 meters and freshman Zaquita McClanahan eclipsed an 18-year-old standard in the shot put to highlight day-one action for the UTSA women's track and field team at the New Balance Invitational.
Pratt raced to a 17:23.21 clocking on the famed Armory Track & Field Center oval to win the College division ahead of Rachel Forcino of American, who crossed in 17:30.44. The Del Rio native's time bettered Meg Harris' former school record of 17:23.45 established in 1996.
Meanwhile, McClanahan measured 13.94 meters (45-9) in the shot put to finish 10th in a field of 61 athletes. That marked an 18-centimeter improvement from her previous personal-best of 13.76m posted two weeks ago at the Texas Tech Invitational and broke the former UTSA record of 13.79 set by Kim Bush in 1992.
Senior Dana Mecke broke the third school record of the weekend.
Mecke clocked a 4:49.82 to break Katie Poindexter's seven-year-old UTSA standard (4:50.73) in the mile. It marked a near-five-second improvement over her previous personal-best of 4:54.77 turned in at the Houston Invitational last weekend.
For the men, junior triple jumper Devon Bond skipped to his second school record in four weeks on Saturday to lead the UTSA men's track & field team's final day of action at this weekend's New Balance Invitational.
Bond finished fourth in the championship flight with his NCAA provisional leap of 52-5 ½/15.99m, which extended his program standard by a foot and seven inches. He also moved up from 14th to seventh place on the national leaderboard.
UTSA also received a near-school-record performance from sophomore Cole Reveal in the 3,000 meters. The Frisco native crossed the tape in 8:29.36, which places him second on the Roadrunners' all-time performers list, and the mark is the third-fastest in the Southland Conference this season.
UCA Sets Four School Records in Field Events
The University of Central Arkansas set four school records out of the six events participated in at the McDonald's Invitational hosted by Southern Illinois University on Friday night. The Bears and Sugar Bears also combined for six Southland Conference Indoor Championships qualifying marks.
Sophomore Jaron Criswell of Fort Smith, finished first with a long jump of 7.07 meters (23 ft.-2.5 in.). Sophomore Jeremy Stuckey also had a qualifying mark in the long jump, placing sixth with a leap of 6.64 meters (21 ft.-9.5 in.).
The Bears had two pole vaulters earn spots in the Championships. Freshman Daniel Reese took fourth with a vault of 4.60 meters (15 ft.-1 in.), breaking his own school record. Freshman Ryan Kotch of Conway was sixth at 4.30 meters (14 ft.-1.25 in.).
Junior Austin Emerson placed 14th in the weight throw at 12.70 meters (41 ft.-8 in.).
Three Sugar Bears broke their own school records on Friday night. Freshman McKinley Rea of Conway improved on her qualifying mark in the pole vault at 3.40 meters (11 ft.-1.75 in.), tying for third place. Freshman Jasmine Ellis of Nashville, Ark. also set a new UCA best in the long jump at 5.53 meters (18 ft.-1.75 in.), placing fourth. Freshman Judith McGrew of Hot Springs also set a new school record in the weight throw at 11.42 meters (37 ft.-5.75 in.).
Northwestern State Finishes Texas Tech Open with Four Runner-Up Finishes
Four runner-up finishes and a 2010 Southland Conference best time highlighted Northwestern State's participation Saturday in the Texas Tech Open indoor track and field meet.
Lady Demon star Trecey Rew threatened her shot put school record but was five inches short with a second-place 51-0. The other second places came from Andrea Warren in the 800, Jessica Tuck in the long jump and Josh Commiato in the men's high jump.
Warren raced home in 2:15.36, second-best in the Southland Conference ranks this season. Teammate Lawana Perkins's eighth-place 2:20.37 time Saturday moved her into seventh place in the Southland.
Tuck went 18-8, 2 1/2 inches shy of her SLC-leading season's best. Commiato matched his 6-8 1/4 mark from last week that ranks fourth in the conference.
Senior Michael Green ran a season's best 47.46 and took third in the 400 with the fastest time by a Southland competitor in 2010.
Demons freshman Justin Walker took fourth place Saturday in both the 55 meter dash (6.41) and the 200 (21.73), where his time was the second-best by an SLC runner this season. NSU's Kendall Taylor ran eighth Saturday in 22.07, the sixth-fastest SLC mark so far.
Tuck, 10th in her race Saturday, ran the second-fastest women's 200 meter time of the year in the Southland Conference (25.28), while teammate Angelica Kotun posted the fifth-best time in 25.37 and Jazmen Williams ran 25.57, the eighth-best mark.
Along with Green's third place in the 400, DeJon Griffin gave NSU third in the women's weight throw (53-11 3/4) and Keyera Thomas was third in the women's high jump at 5-2 1/2.
McNeese State Hosts Jeff Davis Bank McNeese Indoor
McNeese State sophomore David Rooney set a school and complex record in the mile run as he led the Cowboys during the running of the school's Jeff Davis Bank McNeese indoor meet on Friday.
The Dublin, Ireland native posted a 4:07.90 clocking in only his third gallop in the indoor mile. That broke the school record of 4:11.46 that had been set by Kris Gilmore in 2002 and knocked off the complex record of 4:08 that was recorded by Lamar's Alfred Trejo in 1984.
It's the top time in the Southland Conference this season and was also only two seconds off the provisional qualifying standard for the NCAA championship meet.
The Cowgirls were led by double event winning efforts on the part of La'Shantena Rounds and Kayla Fontenot. Rounds won the weight throw with a school and complex record 55-10.5 toss and took the shot put with a 43-9.75 effort. Fontenot won the women's triple jump at 38-6 and the 55 hurdles in 8.46.
Nicholls Athletes Shatter School Records
Freshman distance runner Brea Goodman set a new school record in the mile, junior Kadi Whisnant bettered the old school mile mark and the 4x400 m relay team clocked in with a program best time of 3:55.37 to cap off a highlight filled day for the Nicholls State University women's track team at the Jeff Davis Bank/McNeese State Indoor Meet on Friday.
Goodman and Whisnant continued a string of strong performances from the Colonel distance crew this indoor season when each bettered the previous school record in the indoor mile. Goodman claimed first place by clocking in at 5:07.03 with Whisnant 1.65 seconds behind in third. It marked the fourth time this season that the Colonels bettered the school record coming into the indoor campaign.
Meanwhile, the Colonels dominated the relays, running three 4x400 teams and taking the top three spots in the women's relays. The Nicholls 'A' squad highlighted the evening with a time of 3:55.37 that set a new school record by nearly 2.5 seconds. The Colonels school record time also provided the breakthrough performance Nicholls was looking for to qualify their relay squad for the Southland Conference Championships. Combined with sprinter Monisha Glee's fourth place 55 m time of 7.51, the Colonels increased their total of Southland Championship qualifiers to 15 in seven different events.
Bearkat Sprinters and Hurdles Impress in Houston
Led by the sprinters and hurdlers, Sam Houston State served notice Saturday at the UH All-Comers Meet that the Bearkats are a team to watch when the Southland Conference indoor championships roll around in three weeks.
Michael Courtney won the 400 meter dash and was the top collegiate competitor in the 200. The senior who will complete his Sam Houston career with this year's indoor season posted a 48.28 in the 400 and finished behind only an unattached runner in the 200 with a time of 22.02
Freshman Roger Rueweler placed third in the 800m run with a mark of 1:58.88. John Thomas (8.13) and Scottie Jones (8.20) both qualified for the final six in the 60 meter hurdles. Jones ended up in fourth place.
For the women, Jessica Fisher put on a pair of outstanding performances, finishing as the runner-up in the 200 meter dash in 25.01 seconds and placing fifth in the 60 meter dash with a mark of 7.68 seconds.
Sam Houston hurdlers Jordan Heggie and Ty Spiller were the top two collegiate finishers in the 60 meter hurdles. Heggie posted a time of 8.74 seconds while Spiller was right behind at 8.75.
The Bearkats also had several top performances in the field events.Christina Webb won the women's shot put (45 feet, 8.5 inches) and was runner-up in the weight throw (50 feet, 8.75 inches). Jenny Zoch placed second in the shot (44-2.0) and third in the weight throw (48-6.75).
Ambra McCuin finished third in the triple jump with a performance of 39 feet, four inches. Kristi Hermes was fifth in the pole vault with a jump of 11 feet 5.75 inches.
For the men, Jason Russell won the weight throw with a toss of 54 feet, 6.5 inches. Artis Edwards was the top collegiate competitor in the triple jump with a mark of 49 feet, 4.25 inches. Chris Gilbert (23-8.25) and Edwards (23-6.75) placed third and fifth, respectively in the long jump.
Southeastern Louisiana Regains Momentum at McNeese State
Following a sub-par showing last week in Houston, the Southeastern Louisiana men's and women's track and field teams bounced back with solid performances at the Jeff Davis Bank McNeese Indoor Meet on Friday.
Several Lions captured event victories. Kovey Simmons took the men's pole vault title with a mark of 15 feet 7 inches (4.75 meters). Brandon Camp paced the field in the 400 meter dash, clocking a time of 51.18. Kernell Jupiter won in 55 meter hurdles (7.85). Plus, Henry Rop showed why he's one of the top distance runners in the Southland Conference, running 3000 meters in 8:30.55.
Michael Rheams was the lone multiple event winner for Southeastern. He was first place in long jump, leaping 23 feet 2.5 inches (7.07 meters), which is his best mark of the season. Rheams followed that up with a triple jump victory, soaring 48 feet 3.5 inches (14.72 meters).
Both men's relay teams won their races. Southeastern's distance medley crew topped the field with a time of 10:37.88. The 4x400 meter relay squad finished in 3:34.34, five seconds better than runner-up McNeese State.
"It was a much better outing than last week," head coach Sean Brady said. "We really came back strong and recaptured some momentum that we had lost."
On the women's side, numerous Lady Lions placed in the top five in their respective events. While two unattached athletes topped her, including Southeastern volunteer assistant coach and 2008 Olympian Erica Bartolina, Lacey Sanchez was the top collegian in women's pole vault, as she flew 11 feet 5.75 inches (3.5 meters).
SFA Records a Strong Showing in Houston
The Stephen F. Austin men's and women's track and field team traveled down to Houston, Texas, Saturday to compete in the Houston All-Comers meet. SFA came away with numerous top-10 finishes, and had multiple top-10 marks in several different events.
The Ladyjacks just missed an individual title in the women's 3,000 meters. Junior Megan Jenkins posted a time of 10:23.13 to finish second overall just ahead of teammate Marie Flores (10:23.48). Freshman Haley Parsons was the third Ladyjack to cross the finish line placing seventh overall with a time of 10:26.63. Junior Amy Shackelford rounded out the top-10 with a time of 10:37.30.
Sophomore Mary Dickerson finished third in the women's 400-meter dash by clocking a time of 57.99. She was one of two Ladyjacks in the field's top-10, as freshman Amahra Edwards clocked a time of 58.82 to finish 10th overall. The Lumberjacks posted a similar showing in the men's 400 meters as freshman Joe Barb continues to impress. Barb clocked a time of 48.41 to finish second overall. Barb's time just missed the school record by .21 of second. Senior Chris Moody finished fourth overall with his time of 49.19.
Pair of UT Arlington Athletes Perform Well in New York
Both UT Arlington athletes that were invited to the New Balance Collegiate Invitational performed well.
Junior Cordero Gray ran a 6.75 in the 60 meter prelims, which was fast enough to qualify for the finals.
He ended up finishing third overall in the finals with a time of 6.73. That time was faster than his fastest time of 6.75 from last season.
Gray also ran in the 200 meter dash and placed ninth in the preliminaries with a time of 21.58. In the finals, Gray finished fourth overall with a time of 21.32.
Teddy Williams, a fellow Southland conference athlete from UT San Antonio, placed first in the 60 meter dash with a time of 6.69.
Senior Jasmine Walls was the other UTA runner invited to the meet. Walls ran her fastest time of the year in the 60 meter dash, 7.68, but did not qualify for the finals in that event.
Walls also took part in the 200 meter dash and finished with a time of 24.96. She did not qualify for the finals in this event.
Islanders Successful at Houston All-Comers Meet
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi took part in their final meet before the conference championships. Several more Islanders qualified for the Southland Conference Championships taking place in a few weeks, but the days highlight was freshman Brianna Briggs winning the 3000-meter run with a time of 10:22.31.
Briggs led a group of seven total runners in the 3000 which TAMUCC had four in the top 10, and two more in the top 15. Courtney Johnson finished fourth, Anne Ronoh next in fifth, Sheila Salil in ninth to round out the top 10 finishes. For the three top finishers each set a personal record in the event.
Caitlin Arambula was 11th, Sarah De Los Santos 15th and Kristine Torres in 17th place in the race. Arambula did qualify for the conference meet with her finish.
In the mile run again the Islander women had many entries placing in the top 10 and 15. Briggs also had a personal best in the mile finishing sixth, highest member of the team. Johnson and Faith Barlow also finished in the top ten.
Kassandrea Son qualified in two more events on Saturday with a top ten finish in the 200-meters and she reached the need mark in the 60-meter high hurdles. Son who just missed breaking her school records in both events is now qualified for five total events at the SLC championships.
On the men's side Daniel Barlow set a personal mark of 8:45.00 and also qualified in the 3000-meters while finishing second. Ari Perez who finished third at 8:47.10 also met qualifying times for running at the conference championships.
Texas State Youngsters Shine at UH All-Comers Meet
Timothy Young surprised his competitors in the 60-meter hurdles as the freshman from Dallas, Texas captured second place at the Houston All-Comers meet this afternoon at Yeoman Fieldhouse.
Young advanced to the 60-meter hurdle finals with a preliminary time of 8.24. In the finals, Young posted a time of 8.10 to capture second place and record his highest finish in the event this season. Young also registered a mark of 6.72 meters (22-00.75) in the long jump.
In the 60-meter dash, Renee Shepard clocked a time of 8.15 on the women's side and for the men Kevin Aje finished the race in a time of 6.99.
Ksenia Beburishvilli continues to improve in the 800 meters as the freshman recorded a time of 2:19.74, while senior Ryann Bradford registered a time of 2:24.01.
Gil Sheleg and Will Stewart both placed in the 800 meters, as Sheleg was seventh with a time of 1:58.21 and Stewart tenth with a time of 1:59.67.
In the distance events, Michael Morris placed sixth in the 3,000 meters recording a time of 8:53.16. Matt Novak registered a time of 4:28.54 in the mile run for the tenth fastest time in the event.
Brooke Hewitt finished sixth in the high jump with a height of 1.65 meters (5-05.00).
The Bobcat pole vaulters continue to perform well as Logan Cunningham placed second with a vault of 4.75 meters (15-07.00). Landon Ferguson and Dmitri Kabakov both tied for sixth with a height of 4.60 meters (15-01.00).
Elena Horn took second in the pole vault with a height of 3.65 meters (11-1.75). Jannah Evans tied for third in the event with a vault of 3.50 meters (11-05.75). Goldstein Okafor grabbed an eighth place finish in the triple jump with a bound of 14.62 meters (4-11.75).