Feb. 3, 2006

NEW YORK – The University of South Carolina men’s and women’s track & field teams competed at the Sixth Annual New Balance Collegiate Invitational, held at the historic Armory Track & Field Center in northern Manhattan on Friday afternoon and at the 99th Millrose Games at Madison Square Garden on Friday night.

The Gamecocks showed their strength in the short sprint and hurdle events during the first day of competition. On the women’s side, Amberly Nesbitt and Shalonda Solomon finished first and fourth respectively in the 60-meter dash to highlight the evening’s activities. Nesbitt won the event with a time of 7.24 seconds, while Solomon was fourth in 7.41 seconds. They advanced to the finals after finishing second and fifth with times of 7.27 and 7.34 seconds respectively in the prelims. The Gamecocks also put two runners in the finals of the 60-meter hurdles, as Ronetta Alexander (8.33) and Kettiany Clarke (8.51) advanced after placing fifth and eighth, respectively. Alexander went on to place second in the College Division with a time of 8.22 seconds on Friday night.

On the men’s side, the Gamecocks advanced four sprinters through the prelims of the 60-meter dash. Leroy Dixon led the way with the seventh fastest time (6.75). Adrian Durant (6.85), O.J. Murdock (6.88) and Nick Lytle (6.92) also advanced after finishing 13th, tied for 18th and 27th, respectively.

“We had a good day today,” said USC head coach Curtis Frye. “We’re getting back to being healthy on the women’s side. Nesbitt winning the 60-meter dash was certainly a highlight. Stephanie Smith and Nastasha Hastings are pretty much back to where they should be. We had some good performances overall. The pole vaulters had a good day and Keith Hinnant made the finals in the 400. We are looking forward to some good things tomorrow.”

In other women’s action, the distance medley relay team of Nicki Breves, Chiquita Martin, Shay Shelton, Rebecca Chain earned a silver medal with a time of 12:07.21. Natasha Hastings took third in the 500-meter dash with a time of 1:14.32. Brittany James placed second in the college flight of the long jump competition with a leap of 5.98 meters (19-7.50) and Liza Todd (3.70m) and Vica Shobe (3.65m) went one-two in the college flight of the pole vault competition. The 4×400 meter relay unit turned in a second place finish with a time of 3:53.74.

In men’s action, Keith Hinnant advanced to the finals in the 400-meter dash with the meet’s second fastest time of 47.42 seconds. Greig Cryer placed third in the championship flight of the men’s long jump competition with a leap of 7.58 meters (24-10.50).

CAROLINA WOMEN’S RESULTS:

60 meter dash (Prelims): 2. Amberly Nesbitt 7.27q; 5. Shalonda Solomon 7.34q.

60 meter dash (Finals): 1. Amberly Nesbitt 7.24; 4. Shalonda Solomon 7.41.

60-meter Hurdles (Prelims): 5. Ronetta Alexander 8.33q; 8. Kettiany Clarke 8.51q; 17. Chiquita Martin 8.71; 25. Trier Young 8.89; 41. Reanna Townsend 9.07; 45. Brittney James 9.13.

60-meter Hurdles (Finals): 2. Ronetta Alexander 8.22.

400 meter dash (Prelims): 10. Stephanie Smith 54.90; 16. Chiquita Martin 55.77; 22. Faraign Giles 56.76; 31. Bailey Lewis 57.67; 40. Sharee Howze 58.38.

500 meter dash: 3. Natasha Hastings 1:14.32; 11. Nikeshia Brown 1:15.76.

3000 meter run (College): 28. Nicki Breves 10:32.30.

4×400 meter Relay: 2. USC 3:53.74.

Distance Medley Relay: 2. USC (Nicki Breves, Chiquita Martin, Shay Shelton, Rebecca Chain), 12:07.21.

Shot Put: 7. Precious Akins 14.65m (48-0.75).

High Jump (College): 5. Monica Bozenski 1.65m (5-5.00); T6. Brittney James 1.60m (5-3.00); T6. Kettiany Clarke 1.60m (5-3.00); -. Reanna Townsend NH.

Long Jump (Championship): 7. Kemesha Whitmire 5.88m (19-3.50).

Long Jump (College): 2. Brittney James 5.98m (19-7.50); 9. Kettiany Clarke 5.64m (18-6.00); 28. Reanna Townsend 5.25m (17-2.75).

Pole Vault (College): 1. Liza Todd 3.70m (12-1.50); 2. Vicka Shobe 3.60m (11-9.75); -. Marisa Garcia-Quintana NH.

CAROLINA MEN’S RESULTS:

60 meter dash (Prelims): 7. Leroy Dixon 6.75q; 13. Adrian Durant 6.85q; T18. O.J. Murdock 6.88q; 27. Nick Lytle 6.92q; 32. Johnathan Hanncock 6.94.

60-meter Hurdles (Prelims): 57. Greg Royster 8.81.

400 meter dash (Prelims): 2. Keith Hinnant 47.44q; 31. Jamil James 49.14; 51. Thomas Hilliard 50.01.

Long Jump (Championship): 3. Greig Cryer 7.58m (24-10.50).

Long Jump (College): 8. Derek Pressley 6.99m (22-11.25); 31. Greg Royster 6.46m (21-2.50).

Shot Put: 18. Jim Mitchell 15.30m (50-2.50); 20. David Zaycek 15.25m (50-0.50); -. Jason Cook Foul.

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