JONESBORO,
Ark. (5/10/12) - The Arkansas State track & field teams capped off
competition during their last meet by setting seven facilities records at the
inaugural Red Wolves Open. ASU also broke seven school records so far this
season as they ready to take on the rest of the Sun Belt Conference at the upcoming
Sun Belt Conference Outdoor Track & Field Championships this weekend at
Louisiana-Lafayette.
Leading
the way for A-State as they enter the field in Lafayette is sophomore sprinter
Sharika Nelvis who has already broken a trio of A-State records this season.
Nelvis is currently leading the conference and ranked in the NCAA West Division
Rankings in the 100 (11.45), 100 hurdles (13.36) and 200 meters (23.35). Nelvis
is also coming off an indoor season which saw Memphis native earn Second-Team
All-America Honors by the USTFCCCA.
The
men's team is being led by sophomore thrower Richard Chavez who shattered the
ASU record in the men's shot put at the Joey Haines Invitational (60-5.75).
Chavez ranks second in the league and X in the west division rankings in the
event, while also ranking
Junior
Julia Agawu leads the conference in the women's discus (166-11) while ranking
third in the hammer and fifth in the shot put. Agawu ranks second all-time at
ASU in the outdoor discus and the outdoor hammer throw.
Sophomore
William Oliver leads the league in the men's decathlon posting 6,892 points at
the Sea Rays Relays. The point total was the highest set by any Sun Belt
athlete in over two years. Oliver also ranks second in the men's long jump
(24-7.25).
Senior
distance runner Chelsea Weaver leads ASU while ranking fourth in the Sun Belt
Conference in the women's 3000 meter steeplechase after breaking her own school
record at the Mt. SAC Relays (11:17.47).
Sophomore
Kristina Aubert also broke her own school record at the Mt. SAC Relays in the
women's 5K (17:14.51) which currently places her seventh in the league.
Sophomore
Joey Meyer ranks in the top five in two events, ranking second in the 400m and
fifth in the 200m, while junior Solomon Williams is ranked third in the
conference in the 110 hurdles (14.38).
The Red
Wolves rank third through fifth in the men's pole vault with sophomore Ethan
Sandusky leading the way for A-State at 17-0.75 which he reached at the Ole
Miss Invite. Sophomore Shane Heathcock is fourth at 16-3.5 and junior John
Ellis is ranked fifth at 16-1.25.
Overall,
ASU has athletes ranked in the top 10 in the league in 28 event categories.
Live results for the events can be viewed at the official online home of the
Sun Belt Conference www.sunbeltsports.org.
Action
begins Friday in Lafayette with the multi events kicking off the championship
at 9 a.m. The women's discus begins the field events at 2 p.m.
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