June 10, 2004
USC got the job done tonight in the long jump at the NCAA Track Championships. South Carolina senior Tony Allmond continued his reign as the NCAA runner-up in the long jump – finishing there three straight times to LSU’s John Moffitt. In the women’s final, Spartanburg’s Kemesha Whitmire finished ninth, garnering All-American honors as well.
Allmond (Sante Fe Springs, Calif.) jumped a school record 27′ 4 3/4 to finish as the runner-up – hitting the Olympic A standard jump in his final jump. Next up – LSU’s Moffitt hit 27′ 6 3/4 to take the NCAA title by 5 cm in his final jump.
“I came here to get a ring – I didn’t care about the records, anything – I just wanted a ring. I won’t take anything away from John. He’s a great jumper, a great competitor,” said Allmond. “I took the lead and then he came back and took it away. I am not mad at him – it was a great competition. After the SEC meet I changed my run and it’s helped the last two meets. I really look forward to the Olympic Trials now.”
“What a great competition – the typical SEC battle in the jumps,” said assistant coach and jumps coach Dee Quarles.
Whitmire jumped 20′ 9 to finish ninth.
The women’s 4x400m relay won its heat with a time of 3:28.85 – advancing to the finals automatically. USC’s 4×4 included Shevon Stoddart, Lashinda Demus, Chiquita Martin and Stephanie Smith (51.1 split).
In the women’s 200m USC failed to advance anyone to the finals. Erica Whipple was third in her heat at 23.45 with teammate Stephanie Smith close behind at 23.45 in fourth place of the heat. Khalliah Carpenter was third in her heat, running a 23.44.
Overall, Whipple was 16th, Carpenter was 14th and Smith was 15th.
Chelsea Hammond jumped 20′ 1 1/2 in the women’s long jump but did not qualify for the finals.
Fred Townsend was fourth in his heat with the a time of 13.76 – the second best time of his career. Townsend did not advance to the finals and finished 14th overall.
USC Competitors Today
Women’s 4x400m relay
Won heat – advances automatically to finals – 3:28.85
Women’s Long Jump
Chelsea Hammond – 20′ 1 1/2 – did not qualify for finals
Kemesha Whitmire – 20′ 9 – 2nd in flight – ninth overall – All-American
Men’s Long Jump
Tony Allmond – 27′ 5 – school record – runner-up – All-American
Women’s 200m
Erica Whipple – 3rd in heat – 23.44 – 16th (didn’t qualify for finals)
Stephanie Smith – 3rd in heat – 23.45 – 15th (didn’t qualify for finals)
Khalilah Carpenter – 3rd in heat – 23.44 – 14th (didn’t qualify for finals)
Men’s 110m hurdles
Fred Townsend – 4th in heat – 13.76 – 14th (didn’t qualify for finals)
