March 25, 2006
Clemson Relays - Final Results
Cullowhee, N.C. - Both the men and women's track & field teams at Western Carolina turned in five seasonal-best performances apiece in various events, giving the Catamounts 10 top times on the weekend at the Clemson Relays in Clemson, S.C. Western's squads combined for eight podium finishes at the meet including a pair of first-place tallies.
The Western Carolina men scored extremely well in the three relay events in which they entered. Defending Southern Conference men's track athlete of the week, senior Milton Bolton, teamed with freshman Manteo Mitchell, and sophomores Mike Malone and Zeb Johnson to pass the baton in 3:14.04 to win their first title of the outdoor season in the 4x400-meter relay. Bolton also teamed with Zeb Johnson, Kevin Johnson, and sophomore Mike Malone to place third in the men's 4x100-meter relay behind teams from Clemson and Georgia. Kevin Johnson was joined by junior James Gregory, senior Charleton Grant and sophomore Duke Craig to finish third in the men's 4x200-meter relay, running the 800-meter race in 1:31.01.
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In the field events, freshman Rashad Herndon placed sixth in the men's long jump with a leap of 6.72m (22-0.75), with senior Rod Palmer and Gaillard finishing fifth and sixth, respectively, in the triple jump. Palmer's mark of 13.58m (44-6.75) ranks second on the WCU season charts, but was his best performance of the season. In the throws, sophomore Jerod Kelly placed seventh in the shot put (14.40m, 47-3.0) and 10th in the hammer throw with a distance of 45.07m (147-10) to lead the Catamounts. On Friday, David Bowles and Josh Lee placed sixth and seventh, respectively, in the men's javelin with Lee's throw of 55.79m (183-0) marking his best of this outdoor season.
The Catamount women turned in two first-place showings, led by the 4x800-meter relay team of sophomore Kerrie Savery, junior Asia Davis, freshman Annie Bailey and sophomore Brooke Saddler. The four ran the 3,200-meters in 9:27.85. The other first-place finish for WCU came in the 4x400-meter relay as freshman Aneesha Lane, last week's SoCon women's track athlete of the week sophomore Raquel Ramseur, Davis, and sophomore Tangelia Johnson passed the baton in 3:46.24 to take top honors. Also posting a top three finish was the 4x100-meter relay team of senior Cassie Gentry, Davis, Johnson and Ramseur. The four placed third in the 4x100-meter relay with a season's best time of 46.73.
The SoCon's Indoor women's high jump champion, two-sport standout sophomore Jessika Johnson, place third at the relays, clearing 1.65m (5-5.0) to edge freshman teammate, Angela Stark, who was tied for fifth with a height of 1.60m (5-3.0). Senior Tiffany Mack placed eighth in the women's triple jump, leaping 11.30m (37-1.0). In the throwing events, sophomore Nicole Lopez finished one place in front of junior teammate, Sharhonda Bell, in the women's shot put, finishing eighth and ninth, respectively. Bell was edged by sophomore Michaela Hall in the hammer throw, again placing eighth and ninth, with Hall's distance of 38.01m (124-8). Freshman Rachel Karriker recorded her first career top 10 in the women's discus, hurling the disc 33.92m (111-3) to finish ninth.
WCU highlights from Friday afternoon were fifth place finishes by Rashanda Simmons in the women's long jump and Tara Touszen in the women's javelin with a seasonal best mark of 33.08m (108-6). Like Jessika Johnson, women's basketball player Lynsie Lamitie joined the track team this outdoor season, posting a 10th-place finish in the javelin.
Western will host the Western Invitational Track & Field Meet next Friday and Saturday at the on-campus Catamount Athletic Complex in Cullowhee. The event will begin at 5:00 pm on Friday, March 31 and run through Saturday, April 1. For more information on the Western Invitational, please click HERE.
