Track & Field 3/23/2013 10:36:00 PM ArkansasState

Outdoor Track Shines At Season-Opening LSU Relays

BATON ROUGE, La. (3/23/13) – The Arkansas State University men's and women's track and field teams got their outdoor seasons off to a fine start at this weekend's (March 22-23) non-scoring LSU Relays in Baton Rouge, La., as the Red Wolves recorded solid performances in several day-two events.

Arkansas State, which had eight top-three place efforts in Friday's (March 22) day-one competition, would follow up with nine more top three-place performances in Saturday's (March 23) action at LSU's Bernie Moore Track Stadium.

"I was pleased with most of our performances this weekend,” said ASU head coach Jim Patchell. “We entered some of the athletes who we expect to qualify for regionals in relays or events that aren't necessarily their primary event. It's a long season for those athletes so early on we like to give them a little variety to prevent staleness at the end of the season."

The ASU women compiled six top-three placings in Saturday's events, led by sophomore Tilda Helgesson's first-place finish in the 3,000-meter steeplechase with an 11:41.64 time. Sophomore Chelsey Roberson would claim third-place honors in the same event by crossing the finish line in a time of 12:14.85.

Junior Sharika Nelvis produced the Red Wolves' other first-place showing by winning the 400-meter dash in a time of 54.62.

Senior Julia Agawu would garner second place in the discus as a result of a 160-09 (48.99m) throw while junior Kim Raath posted a similar showing in the javelin with a second-place 119-01 (36.31m) performance. Senior Jamie Curry was ASU's top performer in the triple jump as she turned in a mark of 39-06.50 (12.05m).

For the men, the Red Wolves “A” team consisting of junior Joey Meyer, junior Justin Whitfield, freshman Raymond Jackson, and freshman Tahshon Reese would win the 4x200-meter relay by posting an event-leading 1:25.93 time.

Second-place laurels were bestowed upon junior Kashef Daniel, who finished second in the high jump at 6-09.75 (2.08m) and took eighth in the long jump with a 22-01.50 (6.74) effort. Senior Solomon Williams captured third place in triple jump at 47-06.25 (14.48m).

ASU also chalked up sixth-place performances in three individual events. Senior Corwin Pace had a throw of 162-11 (49.66m) in the discus while Joey Meyer clocked a 10.69 time in the 100-meter dash. Senior Lucas Bateman produced a time of 15.01 in the 110-meter hurdles. He also led the Red Wolves in the 400-meter hurdles event by tallying a 54.37 time.

"I thought our men's sprint crew looked good in the 4 x 200 relay and Jamie Curry did an outstanding job in the triple jump,” Patchell said. “Kashef Daniel had a break through in the high jump and we look for him to be back over seven feet soon. Tilda Helgesson had a good opener in the steeplechase.

“We had a good start but there is still a lot of work to do before the outdoor conference, " added Patchell.

Arkansas State returns to action next weekend, March 29-30 as the Red Wolves take part in the non-scoring Central Arkansas (UCA) Open at UCA's Bill Stephens Track Complex in Conway, Ark.

LSU Relays Day Two

Arkansas State Women's Results

Javelin

2. Kim Raath, 119-01 (36.31m)

13. Macey Rodely, 115-04 (35.16m)

Triple Jump

3. Jamie Curry, 39-06.50 (12.05m)

12. Jasmine Marks, 35-07.75 (10.86m)

Long Jump

16T. Savannah Hutchinson, 17-04.25 (5.29m)

20. Sabrina Antimo, 16-09.75 (5.12m)

21. Emenderlyn Iwuji, 16-08.00 (5.08m)