Jan. 12, 2007
BLACKSBURG, Va. — Jason Richardson and Thomas Hilliard, IV, from the South Carolina men’s track and field team each logged NCAA provisional qualifying times in the 55-meter hurdles Friday in Blacksburg, Va.
Richardson and Hilliard, IV, finished first and fourth in the prelims with times of 7.29 and 7.36. In the semis, Hilliard, IV, was first overall in a time of 7.24 and Richardson was close behind at 7.26 for second. The NCAA provisional qualifying time is 7.38.
Other highlights for the men’s team included a fourth-place finish from Keith Hinnant in the 500m with a 1:04.19 clocking. Johnny Baez was ninth in the 1,000m at 2:31.66, and Jamil James broke the tape in 34.95 for 14th in the 300m.
In the field events, Derek Pressley jumped 14.00m (45-11 1/4) to place 11th in the triple jump. Tyler Trout grabbed sixth in the 35-pound weight throw with a personal-best 18.52m (60-9 1/4) to surpass his previous mark by 1.15m (3-9 1/4). Also in the weight throw, Jason Cook had a toss of 16.83m (55-2 3/4) for 10th and Anthony Faulkner was 16th with a 15.72m (51-7) showing.
Five Gamecock women placed among the top 10 in the finals of the 300m with Shalonda Solomon leading the pack at 36.93 for a runner-up finish. Natasha Hastings was third in a time of 37.07, followed by Stephanie Smith in fifth at 38.42, Brandi Cross in seventh at 38.83 and Faraign Giles in eighth at 39.19.
Ronnetta Alexander and Chiquita Martin advanced to the finals of the 55m hurdles. Alexander was 10th in the prelims with a time of 8.11 before improving with a 7.97 figure in the semis for fifth place. Martin was the sixth-fastest hurdler in the prelims at 8.01 and No. 8 in the semifinals in a time of 8.07.
On the field, Liza Todd topped the Gamecocks’ efforts in the pole vault, clearing 3.52m (11-6 1/2) to place sixth overall, while Emily Pease and Sallie Gurganus both cleared 3.36m (11-0 1/4). South Carolina’s top thrower, Precious Akins, recorded a mark of 17.90m (58-8 3/4) in the 20-pound weight to end in fifth place.
South Carolina wraps up its first weekend of competition Saturday. Events for the day include: men’s and women’s shot put, men’s and women’s long jump, men’s pole vault and high jump, men’s and women’s mile run, men’s and women’s 55m finals, men’s and women’s 55m hurdles finals, men’s and women’s 200m, 400m, 800m, 3,000m, and men’s and women’s 4x400m and 4x800m relays.
Men’s 55m (Prelims)
11. Nick Lytle, 6.50q; 48. Conrad Shealy, 7.02; 49. Jay Lucas, 7.32
Men’s 55m (Semis)
11. Nick Lytle, 6.46
Men’s 300m (Finals)
14. Jamil James, 34.95; 30. Eddie Stoudemire, 36.43
Men’s 500m (Finals)
4. Keith Hinnant, 1:04.19
Men’s 1,000m (Finals)
9. Johnny Baez, 2:31.66
Men’s 55m Hurdles (Prelims)
1. Jason Richardson, 7.29q; 4. Thomas Hilliard, IV, 7.36q; 20. Curt McGill, 7.85; 23. Eddie Stoudemire, 7.99
Men’s 55m Hurdles (Semis)
1. Thomas Hilliard, IV, 7.24q; 2. Jason Richardson, 7.26q
Men’s Triple Jump (Finals)
11. Derek Pressley, 14.00m (45-11 1/4)
Men’s 35-Pound Weight (Finals)
6. Tyler Trout, 18.52m (60-9 1/4); 10. Jason Cook, 16.83m (55-2 3/4); 16. Anthony Faulkner, 15.72m (51-7)
Women’s 55m (Prelims)
18. Ronnetta Alexander, 7.33; 31. Dishar’ick Howze, 7.48
Women’s 300m (Finals)
2. Shalonda Solomon, 36.93; 3. Natasha Hastings, 37.07; 5. Stephanie Smith, 38.42; 7. Brandi Cross, 38.83; 8. Faraign Giles, 39.19; 35. Reanna Townsend, 43.95
Women’s 500m (Finals)
18. Nikeshia Brown, 1:18.90
Women’s 1,000m (Finals)
19. Kelsey Bristol, 3:12.08
Women’s 5,000m (Finals)
13. Callie Rabun, 19:29.26
Women’s 55m Hurdles (Prelims)
5. Brittney James, 7.99q; 6. Chiquita Martin, 8.01q; 8. Kettiany Clarke, 8.07q 10. Ronnetta Alexander, 8.11q; 13. Trier Young, 8.14q; 22. Reanna Townsend, 8.44; 45. Kayla Parker, 10.35
Women’s 55m Hurdles (Semis)
5. Ronnetta Alexander, 7.97q; 8. Chiquita Martin, 8.07q; 10. Kettiany Clarke, 8.14; 11. Brittney James, 8.20
Women’s Pole Vault (Finals)
6. Liza Todd, 3.52m (11-6 1/2); T-11. Emily Pease, 3.36m (11-0 1/4); T-13. Sallie Gurganus, 3.36m (11-0 1/4); T-20. CaAdrian Norman, 3.00m (9-10)
Women’s 20-Pound Weight (Finals)
5. Precious Akins, 17.90m (58-8 3/4)
