WEATHER DOESN'T STOP OPENING DAY FOR FAMU RELAYS :: All but one scheduled event was completed despite rain and early thunderstorms Friday

All but one scheduled event was completed despite rain and early thunderstorms Friday

March 7, 2008

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - The 58th Annual FAMU Relays completed its' first day of competition despite heavy thunderstorms early in the morning and rain showers and occasional thunder until about mid afternoon here at the Pete Griffin Track Complex.

In fact, all but one event were completed, as the men's and women's javelin, scheduled to be the first event at 9:30 a.m., was cancelled altogether due to windy conditions and a partially flooded infield in the throwing area.

Completed events included the women's and men's 3000 meter steeplechase, which was moved from morning to afternoon; the women's and men's pole vaultthe women's and men's 5000 meter run, along with the women's and men's discus throw.

Notable finishes Friday included some local flavor, as FAMU's Shakia Smith (125-11) won the women's discus; FAMU's Mike White (13-11.25) was the winner in the men's pole vault, while Florida State's 1-2 punch of Liz Mabry (11-05.25) and Jacintha Anderson (10-05.50) took the women's pole vault. FAMU's duo of Carlos Franklin (15:57.0) and Carl Burres (16:37.9) ran fourth and sixth in the men's 5000 meter run.

In the preliminary heats Friday, FAMU qualified two runners for the women's 100 meter dash final in Ashley Gillis (11.9, 2nd overall) and Dericka Love (12.0, 5th), while three FAMU runners qualified for the men's 100 meter final - Craig Scott (10.5, 3rd), Philip Sylvester (10.8, 6th) and Ronald Bolden (10.8, 7th).

In the women's 100 meter hurdle prelims, FSU's Irayiza Andrews (14.7) finished first overall, with FAMU's Conchita Russell (14.9) and Latoya Wright (15.3) getting second and fourth to all advance to Saturday's final.

FAMU's Carl McKenzie (14.8) finished first overall in the men's 110 meter hurdle preliminaries, while teammate Brandon Hartley (15.1) took fifth overall to grab spots in Saturday's final.

•Saturday's schedule begins at 8:00 a.m. with high school field events (long jump, discus throw, high jump and shot put) along with the 800 meters for both high school and college teams.

Later in the morning, field events for high school continue, while the 400 meter finals for high school and colleges will be staged, before high school prelims in the 100 meter dash and the 100/110 hurdles will be held.

Opening ceremonies will be held at 12:30 p.m., then the afternoon session featuring a full schedule of running events and relays will begin at 1:00, concluding with the 4x400 meter relay at 6:00 p.m.

COMPLETED EVENTS/Top Five

•Women's 3000 Meter Steeplechase: 1-Irene Jeptolo, Winston-Salem State 11:35.0; 2-Kristine Beringer, Edinboro, 12;16.0; 3-Asia Hollingsworth, Albany State, 12:41.8; 4- Crystal Leamon, Albany State, 13:40.2; 5-Erica Adams, Albany State, 14:11.4.

•Men's 3000 Meter Steeplechase: 1-Chris Lantinen, Edinboro, 9:45.6; 2-Josh Zubler, Edinboro, 10:07.6; 3-Brad Wells, Bowling Green TC, 10:25.7; 4-Jeff Ehler, Bowling Green TC, 11:11.5; 5-Akeivius Searcy, Albany State, 13:06.6.

•Women's 5000 Meter Run: 1-Rachael Lanzel, Edinboro, 17:25.0; 2-Grace Korir, Grambling, 19:16; 3-Nyika Corbett, Swarthmore, 19:19.4; 4-Bess Ritter, Swarthmore, 20:12.7; 5-Tevy Henry, Alabama State, 20:24.7.

•Men's 5000 Meter Run: 1-Robert Gunn, Alabama State, 15:15.5; 2-David Niemira, Edinboro, 15:16.4; 3-Eric Brenner, Edinboro, 15:51.5; 4-Carlos Franklin, FAMU, 15:57.0; 5-Rickey Martin, Alabama State, 16:30.6; 6-Carl Burres, FAMU, 16:37.9.

•Men's Discus Throw: 1-Tom Reynolds, Unattached, 150-05; 2-Sharif Small, Florida State, 145-00; 3-Michael Putman, Unattached/FSU, 140-09; 4-Gionreicho Lynch, Grambling, 139-03; 5-Christopher Williams, Grambling, 129-03.

•Women's Discus Throw: 1-Shakia Smith, FAMU, 125-11; 2-Shexnieavia Bryant, Alabama State, 124-08; 3-Kenndra Hammond, Grambling, 122-09; 4-Valencia Dorsey, Southern-BR, 115-02; 5-Rashira Bessard, Grambling, 115-00.

•Women's Pole Vault: 1-Liz Mabry, Florida State, 11-05.25; 2-Jacintha Anderson, Florida State, 10-05.50.

•Men's Pole Vault: 1-Mike White, FAMU, 13-11.25; 2-Jovanni Jenkins, Southern-BR, 12-11.50; 3-Colson Marsh, Unnattached/FSU, 12-11.50.