Gamecocks Have Nation’s Best Time in Three Events

March 28, 2006

The national descending order list has been released and the South Carolina Gamecocks own three number one slots early in the outdoor track & field season. Overall, Carolina track & field has recorded 20 NCAA regional qualifying marks, nine on the women’s side and 11 on the men’s ledger, just two weeks into the outdoor season.

Shalonda Solomon, who was the NCAA Indoor champion at 200 meters, owns the nation’s fastest outdoor time at 200 meters with a 22.77 clocking at the Walt Disney Invitational in Orlando, Fla. over the weekend. The sophomore from Inglewood, Calif. owns better than a half-second lead over her nearest competitor, Kandace Tucker from Baylor, who has turned in time of 23.41 in the one-turn event.

Amberly Nesbitt, a sophomore from Greenville, S.C. posted the nation’s fastest 100 meters last weekend, breaking the tape in a personal-best 11.30 seconds. Nesbitt, who earned All-America accolades in the 60-meter dash during the 2006 indoor season, is one of only two runners to break 11.40 seconds so far this season.

Keith Hinnant, who finished second at the SEC meet in the 400 meters during the indoor season, owns the country’s fastest 400 meter time during the outdoor campaign. The sophomore from Bay Shore, N.Y. stopped the clock in 46.78 seconds in the one lap race on Friday.

Precious Akins and Jason Richardson currently have the nation’s second best marks in their respective events. Akins, a junior from Summerville, S.C., hurled the discus 54.30 meters (178-2) to rank second in the country behind Arizona senior Rachel Varner (56.76m). Richardson, a sophomore from Cedar Hill, Texas who is already a three-time All-American, ranks second in the 110-meter hurdles (13.67) and third in the 400-meter hurdles (51.70).

Other national top five marks have been posted by the women’s 4×400 meter relay (3rd-3:42.00), Greig Cryer in the long jump (4th-7.62m), Chiquita Martin in the 400 meter hurdles (5th-60.82) and by the men’s 4×400 meter relay (5th-3:09.09).

The Gamecocks will travel to Gainesville this weekend for the Florida Quad Meet. The NCAA East Regional meet is set for May 26-27 in Greensboro, N.C.

Here is a list of the USC Regional Qualifiers through March 28 (National ranking in parentheses):

WOMEN:

100 meters: Amberly Nesbitt 11.30 (1)

200 meters: Shalonda Solomon 22.77 (1)

100m Hurdles: Keittany Clarke 13.80 (10); Brittney James 13.91 (16)

400m Hurdles: Chiquita Martin 59.59 (5)

4x400m Relay: South Carolina 3:38.96 (3)

Pole Vault: Cheryl Terrio 3.95m (T8); Vica Shobe 3.80m (T16)

Discus: Precious Akins 54.30m (2)

MEN:

400 meters: Keith Hinnant 46.78 (1)