March 18, 2006
Just one week removed from the NCAA Indoor National Championships, the University of South Carolina men’s and women’s track & field teams began their march towards the NCAA Outdoor Championships by hosting the Weems Baskin Sprint Relays on the USC campus. On Saturday, the USC squad posted nine regional qualifying marks, six on the women’s side and three on the men’s, to open the outdoor campaign.
Coach Curtis Frye rested several of his elite women after they posted a 10th-place finish at the national meet a week ago. However, he got several solid performances throughout the competition.
A pair of freshmen, Keke Clarke and Brittney James, went one-two in the 100 meter hurdles, finishing in 13.80 and 13.91 seconds, respectively, both under the 13.92 NCAA Regional qualifying standard.
Junior Chiquita Martin won the 400-meter hurdles in a time of 59.59 seconds, under the 1:00.82 that is the minimum time for entry into the regional meet.
Senior Cheryl Terrio and freshman Vica Shobe went one-two in the women’s pole vault competition, each posting an NCAA regional mark of 3.80 meters (12-5.50).
Junior Precious Akins won the discus throw with a best toss of 50.83 meters (166-9), well above the regional standard of 47.30 meters.
The USC women dominated the relay events, winning the 4×100 (46.24), 4×200 (1:37.76) and sprint medley (4:11.44), while finishing second in the 4×400 with an NCAA Regional qualifying time of 3:39.55.
The women also got first place finishes from Karen Wigal in the 5000 (18:17.68) and from Brittney James in the long jump (5.75m, 18-10.50).
On the men’s side, sophomore standout Jason Richardson looked like he had picked up from where he left off last season with a pair of NCAA regional qualifying times in winning the 110 meter hurdles in 14.06 and in placing second in the 400 meter hurdles in 51.70 seconds.
Junior Trey Bell reached a regional mark when he soared 5.05 meters (16-6.75) in winning the pole vault competition.
Other USC winners included Keith Hinnant in the 800 meters (1:51.79), Jim Mitchell in the shot put (16.07m, 52-8.75), Brook Antonio in the discus (50.63m, 166-1), the 4×100 meter relay (41.12) and the 4×400 relay (3:10.06).
The Gamecocks will be in action again next weekend when they travel to Tallahassee, Fla. for the Florida State Relays.
USC RESULTS:
WOMEN:
100 meters: 3. Kemesah Whitmire 12.51.
800 meters: 7. Alyse Shayer 2:24.91.
1500 meters: 3. Kelsey Bristol 4:57.32.
5000 meters: 1. Karen Wigal 18:17.68; 2. Nicki Breves 18:22.19; 7. Callie Rabun 19:21.82; 9. Laura Regensburg 19:39.50; 15. Lauren Jaynes 20:13.74.
100 meter Hurdles: 1. Keke Clark 13.80; 2. Brittney James 13.91; 6. Chiquita Martin 14.19; 7. Reanna Townsend 14.22; 10. Trier Young 15.01.
400 meter Hurdles: 1. Chiquita Martin 59.59; 4. Trier Young 1:02.54; 7. Bailey Lewis 1:04.44; 8. Keke Clarke 1:05.06.
3000 meter Steeplechase: 4. Jess Smith 12:33.98.
4×100 meter Relay: 1. USC “A” 46.24; 8. USC “B” 53.88.
4×200 meter Relay: 1. USC “A” 1:37.76.
4×400 meter Relay: 2. USC “A” 3:39.55; 5. USC “B” 4:01.14.
1600 Sprint Medley: 1. USC 4:11.44.
High Jump: 2. Monica Bozenski 1.65 (5-5.00); 4. Reanna Townsend 1.55 (5-1.00).
Long Jump: 1. Brittney James 5.75m (18-10.50); 3. Keke Clarke 5.55m (18-2.50).
Discus Throw: 1. Precious Akins 50.83m (166-9); 3. Keri Groover 46.50m (152-7).
Pole Vault: 1. Cheryl Terrio 3.80m (12-5.50); 2. Vica Shobe 3.80m (12-5.50).
MEN:
100 meters: 2. Nick Lytle 10.64.
800 meters: 1. Keith Hinnant 1:52.79; 2. Shawn Cunningham 1:53.47.
1500 meters: 2. Johnny Baez 3:56.56.
5000 meters: 2. David Johannesmeyer 16:01.94.
110 meter Hurdles: 1. Jason Richardson 14.06; 2. Thomas Hilliard 14.34.
400 meter Hurdles: 2. Jason Richardson 51.70; 4. Thomas Hilliard 53.53; 5. Jussi Heikkila 54.24.
3000 meter Steeplechase: 4. Daniel Williams 10:18.44.
4×100 meter Relay: 1. USC 41.12.
4×400 meter Relay: 1. USC “A” 3:10.06; 7. USC “B” 3:23.00.
Pole Vault: 1. Trey Bell 5.05m (16-06.75); 4. Greg Royster 4.90m (16-00.75).
Shot Put: 1. Jim Mitchell 16.07m 952-8.75); 2. Jason Cook 15.42m (50-7.25); 3. Dave Azycek 14.71m (48-3.25).
Discus Throw: 1. Brook Antonio 50.63m (166-1); 2. Joe Schroeder 50.50m 9165-8); 3. Jason Cook 47.97m (157-4); 4. Tyler Trout 47.25m (155-0); 5. Jim Mitchell 46.16m (151-5); 10. Dave Zaycek 39.56m (129-9); 19. Curt McGill 34.21m (112-30; 20. Greg Royster 34.18m (112-2).
