On January 27, the Southern University’s track team attended the 2002 Arkansas State University Invitational in Jonesboro, Arkansas. The men placed second with
73.50 points and the women placed fifth with 36.7 points.
“This was a good meet for us because there were many advanced teams there,” said head coach Johnny Thomas.
There were nine competing schools, including two Southwestern Athletic Conference schools.
“The girls rose for the challenge. We had a lot of outstanding performances,” said Coach Thomas.
Francella Williams placed first in the 55-meter hurdles with a time of eight minutes and forty seconds.
“I had a really good practice that helped me run better. As far as my technique is concerned and as a team we were mentally prepared,” said Sahaja Pitre.
Erikka Thomas, Sahaja Pitre, Rayla Hunt and Kenya Warren were the top performing distance runners. The women placed 2nd in 4×400 relay and 4th in Distance Medley.
“This was my best meet this season and with the right training I will only get better,” said Rochelle Knighten.
Knighten had her personal best discus throw 39’02″. 75 placing her in fourth. Nina Gray and Danielle Frank placed fifth and sixth place in the discus.
In the shot put, Silvers Fultz placed fourth with a throw of 40’02.75″. Knighten placed 5th with a 39’07″ throw.
“One of the best performances for the men was by Peppi Underwood in the 200 and 400,” said Thomas.
“I did what coach told me to do…Run,” said Underwood.
Sophomore Charles Moon also made an impressive showing in last weekend’s meet.
“I felt confident with the distance medley team their head was into it and attitude is everything,” said Charles Moon.
In the 5,000 meter, Moon placed 5th with a time of 16.34.75. The distance medley team placed second, in the 4x400m relay, teams A and B team placed 1st and 2nd respectively.
In the 55-meter hurdles, Jamie Melendon placed second in finals with a 7.52 time.
Jeremy Pierre, making his first appearance in three weeks due to an injury placed first in the triple, with a 14.78m jump.
“I practiced hard and conditioned myself for the triple jump this past week I think I did well for my first week back,” said Pierre.
In the men’s shot put Austin Mumphrey placed 4th with 50’03″. 50 throw and Kenneth Johnson placed 5th with 49’11. 00 throw. In the men’s discus competition Richard Celestine placed third 48’09.50″ throw, Mumphrey finished fourth with a throw of 48’02″ and Arnold Sims 5th 48’00″ throw.
The Indoor track team will take to the track February 1-2, at the Houston Invitational, in Houston.
Categories:
ON YOUR MARK
February 1, 2002
Photo by Willie Siglar/DIGEST
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