Boone, NC—The SC State men's and women's indoor track team opened its 2008-09 indoor season with a good showing at the Appalachian State Invitational last Friday, December 5.
Overall the Bulldog track teams are slightly ahead of last season this time. After its first meet the teams have a combined 14 athletes who have qualified for the 2009 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Indoor Championships.
“Overall it was a pretty good meet, I was pleased with the effort of both teams and the
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Sr., Kenneth Rackins
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outcome,” said head coach Tyree Price.
Senior Kenneth Rackins was the top finisher for the men. Rackins finished third in the 200 meter dash with a MEAC qualifying time of 22.10. The next top finishers for the Bulldog men were Levar Knight and Marcus Stephens, who placed fourth in their respective event to qualify for the 2009 MEAC championships. Knight jumped a distance of 6.95 meters (22-09.75) in the long jump while Stephens jumped a distance of 14.70 meters (48-02.75) in the triple jump. The men's 4x400 meter relay consisting of Darin Washington, Kenneth Rackins, Marvin Williams and Donta Young finished third with a time of 3:25.78.
On the women's side freshman Monique Gracia and senior
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Fr., Monique Gracia
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Lauren Lawson led the way finishing first in the 55 meter hurdles and the 800 meter run respectively. Gracia won the race in a time of 8.16 which was good enough to qualify for the 2009 MEAC Indoor Track Championships. Lawson recorded a top time of 2.28.35 in the 800 meters. Freshman Brittney Stewart placed second in 1 mile run with a time of 5:29.98, freshman Shamire Rothmiller placed second in the shot put with a MEAC qualifying distance of 13.01 meters (42-08.25), and junior Jasmine Smith finished third in the triple jump with a distance of 11.58 meters (38-00.00). The women's 4x400 meter consisting of Elizabeth Govrik, Alexandria Jones, Deanna Lee and Tempest Vance also qualified for the championships with a time of 3:50.33 which was good enough for a second place finish in the meet.
Both Bulldog teams will have the remainder of the semester off before competing in the Clemson Invitational January, 9, 2009.
Below is the list of MEAC Qualifiers thus far:
Men Qualifiers
Brian Coleman Shot Put
Noel Facey Shot Put
Kenneth Rackins 200 meters
Darin Washington 200 meters
Levar Knight Long Jump
Marcus Stephens Triple Jump
Women Qualifiers
Monique Gracia 60 Meter Hurdles
Tempest Vance 60 Meter Hurdles; 4x400 Relay
Renee McWilliams 60 Meter Hurdles
Alexandria Jones 400 Meters; 4x400 Relay
Jasmine Smith Triple Jump
Shamire Rothmiller Shot Put
Elizabeth Govrik 4x400 Relay
Deanna Lee 4x400 Relay