March 31, 2006
Western Invitational - Day One Results
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Cullowhee, N.C. - Hosting for just the third time ever in Catamount Athletic Complex (CAC) history, the Western Carolina men and women's track & field teams posted six podium finishes on day one of the Western Invitational. Led by Western's 50 points on both sides, the SoCon accumulated 73 points versus the Big South's 44 on the first day to lead in the women's competition, while the WCU men scored 50, but trail the Big South by 16 (66) in the head-to-head competition between the Southern and Big South Conferences.
First day action included all field events as athletes contested the men and women's shot put, long jump, and the discus on the men's side and javelin on the women's.
Only one facility record fell on Friday as Clemson freshman George Fields broke the CAC record en route to winning the men's long jump competition, leaping 7.43 meters (24-4.5) to finish in front of Western Carolina's Chris Gaillard and Rashad Herndon who finished second and third, respectively. Gaillard's distance of 7.09 meters (23-3.25) was a WCU's seasonal best, while Herndon also set a seasonal best distance at 7.02 meters (23-0.50).
Coastal Carolina posted the top two collegiate finishers in the men's shot put as junior Galen Jones (14.78m, 48-6.0) and Jacob Edelman (13.90m, 45-7.25) went one-two behind Brian Knippen who won the event throwing unattached with a distance of 16.68 meters (54-8.75). Western's Chris Page just missed a podium appearance, recording a fifth-place finish showing in the men's shot put.
In the final event of the first day Clemson's Danny Alge won the men's discus with a distance of 48.28 meters (158-05), finishing in front of a trio of Coastal Carolina performers. Junior Tommy Sugishita was the runner-up with a distance of 48.27 meters (158-4), followed by teammates Dorian Johnson (46.63m, 153-0) and Eric Singleton (45.43m, 149-0). Page was WCU's top finisher in seventh with a distance of 43.01 meters (141-1).
On the women's side, the Big South-leading Chanticleers posted strong finishes on Friday in the javelin, long jump, and shot put events. Coastal junior Jamie Mushatt-Valrie edged four Catamounts in the women's javelin throw with a mark of 34.60 meters (113-6) to finish first. WCU freshman Tara Tounzen and junior Lynsie Lamitie, who also plays on the Lady Catamount basketball team, each recorded top three finishes, placing second and third, respectively. Tounzen threw 33.46 meters (109-9) while Lamitie recorded a distance of 32.01 meters (105-0) to post the podium finishes. Rounding out the top five in the women's javelin were sophomore Rachel Glasgow and Brittany Whitaker.
In the long jump, CCU sophomore DeMiracle Washington finished just in front of Georgia Southern's Nicole Brown with distances of 5.44 meters (17-10.25) and 5.43 meters (17-9.75), respectively. Western's Tiffany Mack finished third in the event with her best distance - and second on the team - this season with a mark of 5.40 meters (17-8.75).
And wrapping up the day in women's competition, Chanticleer senior Brittany Reid hurled the shot put 13.91 meters (45-7.75) to win the event. Emily Greeson from Georgia Southern finished second (12.86m, 42-2.25) with Western's Nicole Lopez placing third with a distance of 12.63 meters (41-5.25) and teammate Sharhonda Bell finishing fifth (11.94m, 39-2.25).
Action in the 2006 Western Invitational resumes at 10:00 am on Saturday morning with the men and women's hammer throw. The first track event will lineup at 12:20 pm with the women's 3,000-meter steeplechase and will conclude around 4:45 pm with the 4x400-meter relays. The event is free to the public.
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