Solomon Turns in the Fastest 200 Meters in the U.S. in 2006

Feb. 4, 2006

New York – Shalonda Solomon turned in the fastest time in the U.S. this year in winning the 200-meter dash, as the Sixth Annual New Balance Collegiate Invitational wrapped up today at the historic Armory Track & Field Center in northern Manhattan.

Solomon, a sophomore from Inglewood, Calif. who earned four All-America certificates a year ago, had the fastest 200-meter time in the prelims at 23.48, then dropped that to a season-best and NCAA automatic qualifying time of 23.19 in the finals to capture the gold medal.

The women’s 4×400 meter relay team of Natasha Hastings, Chiquita Martin, Shay Shelton and Stephanie Smith turned in an NCAA provisional time of 3:38.66 to take the silver medal.

“We had a good 4×4 tonight,” said Carolina head coach Curtis Frye. “Nathasha Hastings ran a 54.4 leadoff leg and Stephanie Smith anchored with a 53.9. Getting those two back is going to be a key for us. Running 3:38 doesn’t get us to the meet, but it’s a good start,” noted Frye.

On the men’s side, Leroy Dixon finished fifth in the 200-meter dash. He turned in a time of 21.62 in the prelims then stopped the clock in 21.67 in the finals. The men’s 4×4 quartet of Adrian Durant, Jamil James, Thomas Hilliard and Keith Hinnant also logged a fifth-place finish with a time of 3:12.41. Derek Pressley won the college division of the triple jump competition with a leap of 15.19m (49-10.00).

“We got what we wanted out of this meet,” said Frye. “We got out healthy. The women finished third in the team score behind LSU and North Carolina, but we held Chelsea Hammond out and pulled Amberly Nesbitt out of the 200 after she won the 60 last night.”

The Gamecocks are in action again next weekend when part of the squad travels to Fayettville, Ark. for the Tyson Invitational, while others will travel to Clemson.

CAROLINA WOMEN’S RESULTS:

200 meter dash (Prelims): 1. Shalonda Solomon 23.48q.

200 meter dash (Finals): 1. Shalonda Solomon 23.19.

800 meter run (Championship): 11. Shay Shelton 2:13.40.

Mile Run: 17. Rebecca Chain 5:11.85.

4×400 meter Relay (Championship): 2. USC (Natasha Hastings, Chiquita Martin, Shay Shelton, Stephanie Smith) 3:38.66.

Weight Throw: 4. Precious Akins 16.89m (55-5.00).

Pole Vault (Championship): 7. Cheryl Terrio 3.60m (11-9.75).

Triple Jump (Championship): -. Kemesha Whitmire Foul.

Triple Jump (College): 17. Reanna Townsend 11.11m (36-5.50).

CAROLINA MEN’S RESULTS:

200 meter dash (Prelims): 4. Leroy Dixon 21.62q; 26. Johnathan Hanncock 22.17; 38. Adrian Durant 22.30; 42. Nick Lytle 22.39.