April 8, 2006

Columbia, SC – USC won eight events and two women’s relays, picking up a slew of NCAA qualifying marks at the Spec Town Relays in Athens, Ga.

Precious Akins won the discus with a regional qualifying toss of 185′ 9. She also finished as the runner-up in the shot put, bettering her regional qualifier at 48′ 10. Keri Groover was fourth in the hammer and also picked up a regional qualifying mark of 158′ 6.

Brook Antonio was the runner-up in the men’s hammer at 187′ 1. He has a previous regional qualifying mark.

Cheryl Terrio won the pole vault at 12′ 11 ½. She already has the same mark as a regional qualifier.

Kemesha Whitmire was the runner-up in the long jump at 19′ 7 ½ with her first regional qualifying mark in the long jump. She was bronze medalist in the triple jump, hitting the board at 39′ 11 ½ – bettering her won regional qualifier.

Monica Bozenski was the runner-up in the high jump at 5′ 7 ¼.

Greig Cryer won the men’s triple jump with a mark of 49′ 3 3/4 – just off a regional qualifier – but Cryer already has a regional mark and was ranked 10th on the latest rankings.

The women’s 4x100m relay – comprised of Whitmire, Natasha Hastings, Faraign Giles and Shalonda Solomon – scorched the field with a regional qualifying mark of 45.70. USC’s men also won its 4x100m relay. Hastings led the 4x400m relay to victory, posting a 3:40.43. Hastings was joined by Stephanie Smith, Shelton and Giles.

Ronetta Alexander won the 100m hurdles at 13.43 – bettering her own regional qualifying mark. Brittney James also bettered her own regional time of 13.84, finishing fourth. On the men’s side Jason Richardson was the runner-up at 13.79.

Hastings later won the gold medal in the 400m, opening her season with a regional qualifying time of 53.66.

Shay Shelton was the bronze medalist in the 800m at 2:07.62.

Solomon won the 200m with a mark of 22.80.

Chiquita Martin won the 400m hurdles with a time of 1:00.80 – just off a regional qualifying time.

Gamecock Events Won
W Discus – Precious Akins
W Pole Vault – Cheryl Terrio
100m hurdles – Ronetta Alexander
400m hurdles – Chiquita Martin
200m – Shalonda Hastings
400m – Natasha Hastings
800m – Shay Shelton
4x100m relay
4x400m relay
M Triple Jump – Greig Cryer