Feb. 2, 2008
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Brandi Cross finished four-tenths of a second from an NCAA automatic qualifying mark in the 400m dash to lead No. 10 South Carolina at the Rod McCravy Memorial, held at the E.J. Nutter Field House on the campus of the University of Kentucky.
Cross was the collegiate winner and finished second overall in the women’s 400m with a time of a 52.83, just shy of the automatic qualifying time (52.40) while passing the McCravy Meet record of 52.85 set by former Gamecock Natasha Hastings last season. Krystal Cantey finished fifth at 54.44 in the 400m, followed by Faraign Giles in eighth at 55.02. Unattached runner Ashlee Kidd, a former Georgia Tech standout, won the event overall in 52.52.
The men’s and women’s 4x400m relay teams set provisional qualifying marks Saturday. The women’s relay team finished second to Texas A&M as both teams bested the McCravy Meet record set by South Carolina last season. The Gamecocks finished in 3:35.32 after Texas A&M took the event at 3:34.61. The men’s relay team placed fourth at 3:10.25.
Six Gamecocks competed in the men’s 400m, led by Quentin Moore who placed ninth at 47.51. Keith Hinnant (47.85) and Aaron Anderson (47.89) followed closely at 12th and 13th, respectively. Senior Derron Flood continues to improve while returning to racing form, placing 15th at 48.11. Jamil James finished 17th at 48.27 while Ray Miley ran 49.20 for 27th place.
Matt Shuler and Kevin Brinkley both cleared 15-1 in the pole vault for their best showings of the season thus far. Throwers Jason Cook and David Zaycek competed in the shot put Saturday after placing 10th and 11th in the weight throw Friday. Cook finished 13th in shot put with a distance of 53-5 while Zaycek placed 15th at 50-9 ¼.
Senior Jussi Heikkila ran a season-best 8.29 in the 60-meter hurdles prelims to qualify for the finals. Heikkila crossed the tape in the finals at 8.44 to finish 18th.
South Carolina returns to action next weekend when they travel to New York City to participate in the Meet of Champions at the Armory.
Women’s 400m
2. Brandi Cross, 52.83; 5. Krystal Cantey, 54.44; 8. Faraign Giles 55.02
Women’s 4x400m Relay
2. South Carolina 3:35.52
Men’s 4x400m Relay
4. South Carolina 3:10.25
Men’s 400m
9. Quentin Moore, 47.51; 12. Keith Hinnant, 47.85; 13. Aaron Anderson, 47.89; 15. Derron Flood, 48.11; 17. Jamil James, 48.27; 27. Ray Miley, 49.20
Men’s Pole Vault
12. Matt Shuler, 15-1; 14. Kevin Brinkley, 15-1
Men’s Shot Put
13. Jason Cook, 53-5; 15. David Zaycek, 50-9 ¼
Men’s 60m Hurdles
18. Jussi Heikkila, 8.44
