Feb. 13, 2009

Results

FAYETTEVILLE, ARK. – South Carolina sophomore All-American Lakya Brookins ran the nation’s second fastest time this year in the 60m dash to lead the Gamecock track and field programs in day one action at the Tyson Invitational at the Randall Tyson Track Center.

Brookins ran the nation’s second fastest time this year in the 60m dash after claiming the title at 7.28, a personal best for the sophomore All-American. The mark is just two-hundredths (0.02) seconds away from an NCAA automatic qualifying mark and ties for the fourth best indoor 60m mark in Carolina history. She also ran a provisional in the preliminary round that she won at 7.36.

“Kya is starting to come on,” South Carolina head coach Curtis Frye said. “She’s healthy and following all of her plans and training. I’m elated at her performance. It’s just the beginning for her. She’ll have to run faster to win the SEC or be an individual All-American, but to be No. 2 in the country with four weeks left is a great win. She was second last weekend in New York against a good field, and winning this week is great for her.”

In the consolation final of the 60m – comprised of the No. 9-16 finishers in the prelims – Gabrielle Glenn also ran a personal best and notched her first provisional time of the year with a first place finish at 7.41. Breehana Jacobs, who finished 11th in the prelims after winning her heat at a season best 7.56, took seventh in the consolation final at 7.58.

On the men’s side, Johnathan Hancock advanced to the final after taking third in the prelims at 6.751. He placed second in the final at 7.50. In the prelims, Bryce Sherman and Antonio Sales took 32nd and 33rd, respectively at 6.97 each.

Brandi Cross took fourth in the women’s 400m final at a provisional time of 54.15. Porche Byrd ran a season best 54.49 to took eighth in the event. In the men’s 400m, Aaron Anderson ran a season best 48.58 to claim 28th overall. Aaron Anderson ran a season best 48.58 in the men’s 400m to lead the Gamecocks.

“Our entire team is having a good week,” Frye said. “Brandi was solid. She won her heat. I think she’s rounding back into it. The big thing is getting into the conference meet and getting healthy. Her confidence is coming along better. Porche Byrd ran a seasonal best and those are the things we look at in the supporting cast.”

Two Gamecock quarter-milers, one for the men and one for the women, didn’t have the days that they expected heading into the meet. Nadonnia Rodrigues, No. 5 in the country for the women, did not compete due to a sore hamstring. Quentin Moore, a junior All-American, initially ran a 47.43 in the men’s race before a lane violation was called to disqualify him.

“We had a little short fall today with our No. 1 quarter-miler with Nadonnia having a sore hamstring,” Frye said. “We’ll watch her and may not use her on the mile relay (Saturday). I think she’s one of the top girls in the country, and we have to work with her for three weeks to make sure that hamstring is ready to go by SEC time. Quentin Moore’s 47.43 in the quarter was a seasonal best. It looked like he was on to a faster time. He and OB were in the same heat and they collided with each other and that threw them off, resulting in Quentin’s disqualification.”

Ronnetta Alexander qualified for Saturday’s final in the 60m hurdles with a provisional time of 8.34 to place fourth in the prelims. Janica Austin ran a season best 8.68 to take 22nd in the preliminary round. For the men, Booker Nunley qualified for Saturday’s final in the 60m hurdles after running a season best 7.97 to place eighth. Johnny Dutch took ninth at 7.98.

Scott Pierce and Eddie Stoudemire tied for 16th with jumps of 22-00.75 (6.72m) in the long jump. The distance was a season best for Pierce.

“Gabby Glenn had a personal best today, won the consolation final and had a provisional time,” Frye said. “Booker Nunley and Johnny Dutch run tomorrow in the finals of the hurdles. It’s a breakthrough for Booker. Johnny didn’t have as good a race but he made the consolation final. We’re looking for Ronnetta to drop into the 8.20 `s to give us a shot. We had a very good day.”

South Carolina continues action at the Tyson Invitational tomorrow beginning with the women’s long jump at 11 a.m. ET.