Feb. 10, 2006
The top University of South Carolina men’s and women’s track & field athletes competed at the Tyson Invitational on the University of Arkansas campus today. The Randal Tyson Track Complex is also the site of the 2006 NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships.
Sophomore sprinting sensation Amberly Nesbitt continued her impressive indoor season with a fourth-place finish in the 60-meter dash, breaking the tape in a season-best time of 7.21 seconds in the finals. The event included some of the nation’s fastest collegians matched up with a group of professional sprinters. Nesbitt was the top collegiate finisher and was defeated by only Veronica Campbell (Jamaica), Me’Lisa Barber and Lauryn Williams. Nesbitt and Shalonda Solomon advanced to the semi-finals with times of 7.25 and 7.36 seconds, respectively, in the prelims. Nesbitt ran a 7.31 in the semis to advance to the finals, while Solomon finished 10th with a time of 7.38 seconds.
Other highlights on the women’s side included the performance of Cheryl Terrio. The senior from Florence, S.C. set a school record in the pole vault competition with a career-best mark of 4.12 meters (13-6.25) to finish fourth.
Ronnetta Alexander posted the sixth fastest time in the prelims of the 60-meter hurdles, covering the distance in 8.23 seconds to reach the finals, where she bettered that mark with a time of 8.22 seconds to finish seventh overall.
On the men’s side, the highlight for the Gamecocks was the return of Jonathan Fortenberry. Fortenberry, who has been sidelined for the last two years with injuries, turned in a solid performance with a 48.89 clocking in the 400-meter dash. Greig Cryer looked strong with a fourth place finish in the long jump competition, turning in a best effort of 7.74 meters (25-4.75).
The meet continues on Saturday at the Tyson Track Complex.
CAROLINA WOMEN’S RESULTS:
60-meter dash (Prelims): 2. Amberly Nesbitt 7.25q, 5. Shalonda Solomon 7.36q.
60-meter dash (Invitational Semis): 6. Amberly Nesbitt 7.31q; 10. Shalonda Solomon 7.38.
60-meter dash (Invitational Finals): 4. Amberly Nesbitt 7.21.
60-meter Hurdles (Prelims): 6. Ronnetta Alexander 8.23q; 13. Kettiany Clarke 8.47; 22. Brittney James 8.64; 51. Chiquita Martin 10.34.
60-meter Hurdles (Finals): 7. Ronnetta Alexander 8.22.
400-meter dash: 9. Natasha Hastings 54.04; 26. Chiquita Martin 55.30; 27. Stephanie Smith 55.34; 36. Faraign Giles 56.20.
Long Jump (College Division): 2. Brittney James 6.00m (19-8.25); 7. Kemesha Whitmire 5.82m (19-1.50); 9. Kettiany Clarke 5.81m (19-0.75).
Pole Vault: 4. Cheryl Terrio 4.12m (13-6.25).
Weight Throw: 9. Precious Akins 17.46m (57-3.75).
CAROLINA MEN’S RESULTS:
60-meter dash (Prelims): 12. Leroy Dixon 6.80; 22. Adrian Durant 6.86; 23. Johnathan Hancock 6.86; 30. O.J. Murdock 6.93.
60-meter Hurdles (Prelims): 13. Jason Richardson 8.08
400-meter dash: 18. Keith Hinnant 47.56; 31. Jonathan Fortenberry 48.83; 39. Jussi Heikkila 49.36; 41. Thomas Hilliard 49.42.
Long Jump (Championship Division): 4. Greig Cryer 7.74m (25-4.75).
Long Jump (College Division): 33. Greg Royster 6.41m (21-0.75).
Pole Vault: 5. Dan McKenzie 4.75m (15-7.25); 13. Greg Royster 4.61m (15-1.50).
RESULTS FROM CLEMSON’S TIGER INVITATIONAL:
CAROLINA WOMEN’S RESULTS:
60-meter Hurdles (Prelims): 10. Reanna Townsend 8.77q; 12. Trier Young 8.91q; 46. Chelsea Kaczmarek 9.93.
5000-meter run: 2. Nicki Breves 18:21.95.
Pole Vault: 2. Vica Shobe 3.80m (12-5.50); 13. Emily Pease 3.20m (10-6.00).
Long Jump: 18. Reanna Townsend 5.41m (17-9.00).
CAROLINA MEN’S RESULTS:
60-meter dash (Prelims): 10. Curt McGill 8.45q.
Distance Medley Relay: 1. South Carolina (Matt Hoffman, Shawn Cunningham, Nick Lytle, Sean Leyh) 10:24.89.
Long Jump: 10. Derek Pressley 6.71m (22-0.25).
Shot Put: 3. Jim Mitchell 15.66m (51-4.50); 4. David Zaycek 15.09m (49-6.25); 6. Jason Cook 14.55m (47-9.00).
