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Men’s,
women’s track teams fly for a home crowd Just like in the Wizard of Oz, there really is no place like home for the TCU track and field team.
At the third annual TCU Invitational, the team turned in one of their best performances of the season, said head coach Monte Stratton. In front of full stands at the Lowdown Track & Field Complex, the Flyin’ Frogs did not disappoint the home crowd, turning in 12 NCAA qualifying times (four automatic, eight provisional). Stratton said he was extremely pleased with the team’s performance, and the crowd turnout for the team’s only home meet of the season. “I was delighted with everything,” Stratton said. “We had an appreciative and supportive crowd, and I know the coaching staff and athletes appreciate that. Overall it was a tremendously good day, and I feel that we have positioned ourselves to make a big push for conference and even nationals, even with our injuries.” While the team had standouts all day, the highlights came in the jumping. Freshman Cleavon Dillon jumped a seasonal best 8.01 meters (26 feet, 3 1/2 inches), narrowly edging sophomore teammate Aundre Edwards, who jumped a distance of 8.00 meters (26 feet, 3 inches).
Former TCU athlete Doc Patton jumped a phenomenal 8.40 meters (27 feet, 6 3/4 inches), the second-longest jump in the world this season. Patton was allowed to participate since the TCU Invitational was open to athletes who are not on teams. His results did not impact TCU’s overall score. Junior Brandal Lawrence also took first in the triple jump, notching a distance of 15.76 meters (51 feet, 8 1/2 inches). The Frogs also made their presence felt in the sprints. In the men’s 100 and 200 meters, the Frogs took 1-2-3. Junior Monica Twum and freshman La’ Toya White finished first and second respectively in the women’s 100 meters. TCU also won both 4x100 meter relays, with the men clocking at 39.79, and the women coming in with a 44.63. Other first place finishers for TCU were junior Terrance McBryde in the men’s 400 (46.83m), men’s 4x400 meter relay (3:08.61), sophomore Larissa Bakasa in the women’s 400 meters (55.07), senior Perhona Tomlin in the 800 meters (2:11.55) and the women’s 4x4 relay (3:40.85). With the momentum of their performance, the team will head to Philadelphia for the 108th Annual Penn Relays. “Penn is one of our four major focal points,” Stratton said. “This is a great springboard into the Penn Relays.” Danny
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TCU Daily Skiff © 2002 |
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