ORANGEBURG, SC – The South Carolina State men's and women's track teams had strong showings in their first indoor competition of the season at the Appalachian State Invitational Saturday (Dec. 5).

            The women captured one event, had five runner-up finishes, placed third in one, fourth in three, fifth and sixth in two each and seventh in one. The men recorded one first place, were fourth in three other events and seventh in another.

            Head Coach Tyree Price, who is in his third season, called the performance by his team “The best start to a season we've had since I have been coaching at SC State.”

            Earning firsts for SC State were Nicole Mobley in the 200 meters with a time of 25.18 and Marcus Stephens in the triple jump with a leap of 15.30m (50-2 ½). Those nabbing runner-up finishes included Shamire Rothmiller in the shot put with a toss of 13.30m (43-7 ¾), Monique Gracia in the 55m hurdles in a time of 8.12, Mobley in the 55 meters in a clocking of 7:03, Tamala Daley in the long jump with a leap of 5.60m (18-4 ½) and the 4x400m relay team of Oprah Odugbela, Erica Peake, Amber Williams and Andranette Moss in a time of 3:58.36.

            Jasmine Smith was third in the triple jump with a leap of 11.98m (39-3 ¾) and fourth in the long jump with a leap of 5.45m (17-10 ¾). Also earning fourths were Daley in the triple jump with a jump of 11.92m (39-3 ¾), Yazmin Hicks in t he 200 meters in a time of 25.42, Levar Knight and Zachery Hasty in the long jump with identical leaps of 6.79m (22-3 ½), Noel Facey in the shot put with a toss of 15.00m (49-2 ½) and Charles Kurgatt in the mile run in a time of 4:33.08.

            Finishing fifth were Hicks in the 55 meters (7.10) and Peake in the 200 meters (25.45). Sixth-place showings went to Daley in the 55m hurdles (8.46), and Arnetra Frazier in the 55 meters (7.13), with Brandi Jefferson seventh in the 55m hurdles (8.48) and Knight seventh in the high jump at 1.93m (6-4).

            Earning qualifying marks for the MEAC Indoor Championships were Daley (LJ, TJ), Rothmiller (Shot, Weight Throw), Mobley (55m), Hicks (55m), Peake (55m) and the 4x4m relay team on the women's side, and Stephens (TJ), Knight (HJ) and Facey (shot put).

            Mobley (55m) and Stephens (TJ) just missed the NCAA provisional qualifying marks.

            Both teams will take a holiday break before resuming their schedules Jan. 8-9 (2010) at the Clemson Invitational. 

--30--