Jan. 13, 2007
BLACKSBURG, Va. — The South Carolina men’s and women’s track and field teams took first in four events at the Virginia Tech Invitational on Saturday in Blacksburg, Va.
The Gamecock women’s 4×400-meter relay team (Brandi Cross, Stephanie Smith, Faraign Giles, Natasha Hastings) scorched the competition in 3:36.49 for an NCAA provisional time. The next closest team to South Carolina was 4.69 slower than the Gamecocks. The men’s 4x400m team (Thomas Hilliard, IV, Ray Miley, Keith Hinnant, Jamil James) was first as well with a time of 3:13.52, edging Tennessee by 0.15.
“It was a great weekend for us,” head coach Curtis Frye said. “Coming off of Christmas Break, we performed well and I’m pleased. We’ve still got to get better and some solid performances next week will help move us a little bit closer to where we need to be.
“Thomas Hilliard had an outstanding weekend, beating one of the top hurdlers in the nation. That was a big break for us. Hopefully he can hold up throughout the season and we’ll get Jason Richardson back full strength.
“Keith Hinnant had a great weekend finishing second in the 800 and fourth in the 500,” Frye continued. “Natasha Hastings looked really good, and Krytsal Cantey did a good job and ran well today.”
Hilliard, who logged two provisional times in the 55m hurdles Friday and set a Rector Field House record at 7.24, won the event Saturday in a time of 7.31.
In the women’s 400m, South Carolina took five of the top six places with Shalonda Solomon finishing first in 54.73. Smith was third in 55.12, followed by Krystal Cantey in fourth at 55.97, Chiquita Martin in fifth at 56.21 and Giles in sixth at 56.39.
In other races for the women, Hastings posted a provisional time in the 200m, finishing second in a time of 23.65. Rebecca Chain ran the 3,000m in 10:24.88 to place seventh.
Precious Akins took ninth in the shot put with a toss of 14.39m (47-2 1/2). In the long jump, Brittney James went 5.84m (19-2) for sixth, and Kettiany Clarke recorded a mark of 5.60m (18-4 1/2) for 13th place.
In the men’s 400m, Ray Miley took 14th with a 50.06 clocking, and Dan Williams was the No. 19 finisher in the mile run at 4:29.62.
On the field, Jason Cook and Jim Mitchell both gave strong performances in the shot put. Cook placed fourth with a throw of 16.18m (53-1) to set a personal record indoors, while Mitchell was fifth thanks to a 16.03m (52-7 1/4) throw. Dan McKenzie vaulted 4.85m (15-11) to take seventh place, and Derek Pressley and Curt McGill were 19th and 20th in the long jump with figures of 6.69m (21-11 1/2) and 6.45m (21-2).
South Carolina returns to action Friday in Lexington, Ky., at the Kentucky Invitational.
Men’s 200m (Finals)
3. Quentin Moore, 21.98; 16. Nick Lytle, 22.53; 37. Eddie Stoudemire, 23.24
Men’s 400m (Finals)
14. Ray Miley, 50.06
Men’s 800m (Finals)
2. Keith Hinnant, 1:53.52; 11. Johnny Baez, 1:55.08
Men’s Mile (Finals)
19. Dan Williams, 4:29.62
Men’s 55m Hurdles (Finals)
1. Thomas Hilliard, IV, 7.31
Men’s 4x400m (Finals)
1. South Carolina A, 3:13.52; 19. South Carolina B, 3:24.30
Men’s Pole Vault (Finals)
7. Dan McKenzie, 4.85m (15-11)
Men’s Long Jump (Finals)
19. Derek Pressley, 6.69m (21-11 1/2); T-20. Curt McGill, 6.45m (21-2)
Men’s Shot Put (Finals)
4. Jason Cook, 16.18m (53-1); 5. Jim Mitchell, 16.03m (52-7 1/4)
Women’s 200m (Finals)
2. Natasha Hastings, 23.65; 33. Dishar’ick Howze, 26.67
Women’s 400m (Finals)
1. Shalonda Solomon, 54.73; 3. Stephanie Smith, 55.12; 4. Krystal Cantey, 55.97; 5. Chiquita Martin, 56.21; 6. Faraign Giles, 56.39; 20. Nikeshia Brown, 58.69
Women’s Mile (Finals)
14. Casey Gale, 5:17.80; 24. Kelsey Bristol, 5:31.60
Women’s 3,000m (Finals)
7. Rebecca Chain, 10:24.88; 17. Lisa McKinney, 11:07.68
Women’s 4x400m (Finals)
1. South Carolina, 3:36.49
Women’s Long Jump (Finals)
6. Brittney James, 5.84m (19-2); 13. Kettiany Clarke, 5.60m (18-4 1/2)
Women’s Shot Put (Finals)
9. Precious Akins, 14.39m (47-2 1/2)
