Patriots Raise the Bar at The Tiger Relays (3-9-10)
The Francis Marion University Track and Field Team opened its 2010 season this past weekend at Savannah State's Tiger Relays. Leading the way for the Patriots was freshman high jumper Tyler Waters. Competing in his first collegiate meet, Waters won the Men's High Jump with a 6' 6" (1.98 meter) effort. Waters nearly missed setting his personal best when he clipped the bar with his foot on his third attempt at 6' 8".
The Men's 4x800 Relay team finished 4th, with a time of 8:43. The team was comprised of freshman Justin Albertson, senior Hillary Kiprop, junior Ben Miller, and freshman Justin Trigg. Also competing for the men was Ian Wallace. Wallace, another freshman, made his collegiate debut competing in the 5000 meters. Wallace ran 18:18.
Senior Amanda Doyle led the women's team finishing third in the 5000 meters. Her 21:07 is her personal best for a 5000 meters race contested on the track. The women's team, also competed in the 4x800 Relay. Sophomore Sam Smith, freshmen Sierra Young and Hailey Lowery, and Senior Holly Todd comprised the team that finished with a time of 12:11.
The team will return to action this Friday and Saturday (March 12-13) at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington Seahawk Invitational.
Patriots are Ready to Run, Jump, and Throw (3-2-10)
Fifteen student-athletes are set to compete in five meets, three hosted by NCAA Division I schools, this spring. As the days warm and grow longer, it is that time of year again. The Francis Marion University Track and Field team is ready to compete. The Team opens this weekend at Savannah State.
Seven women and eight men comprise the team. There are several names that Patriot Cross Country Fans will remember. Coming off of her stellar fall in which she earned Academic All-American Honors, senior Amanda Doyle will lead the women's team. She is joined by fellow cross country runners, senior Holly Todd, junior Amanda Booker, sophomore Samantha Smith, and freshman Sierra Young. Two other women will be making their collegiate track and field débuts this spring. Hailey Lowery is set to compete in middle distance events, while Alison Monahan will compete in Discus.
The men's team also welcomes back several athletes that competed in the fall for the Cross Country team. Senior Hilary Kiprop, juniors Ben Miller and Jerry Roth, and freshmen Justin Trigg, Ian Wallace, and Justin Albertson, all competed this fall for the Cross Country team, which was recently recognized for both their efforts on the Cross Country Courses and in the classroom as well. The USTFCCA recently recognized them, along with the women's team, as NCAA Division II All-Academic Teams.
Like the women's team, the men have two newcomers as well. After finishing second in the South Carolina Boys' AAAA Championship, freshman Tyler Waters is looking forward to collegiate competition. Rounding out the men's team is sprinter Braylin Broise.
2010 Track and Field Schedule
3/6 Tiger Relays hosted by Savannah State in Savannah, Ga.
3/12 -13 UNCW Seahawk Invitational by UNC-Wilmington in Wilmington, N.C.
4/3 ASU Distance Challenge hosted by Augusta State in Augusta, Ga.
4/7 South Carolina State Championships hosted by USC in Columbia, S.C.
4/17 Carolina Championships hosted by UNC-Pembroke in Pembroke, N.C.
2010 Track and Field Roster
Booker, Amanda Florence, SC / Wilson HS Jr
Doyle, Amanda Laurens, SC / Laurens HS Sr
Lowey, Hailey Chesterfield, SC / Chesterfield HS Fr
Monahan, Alison Moore, SC / Woodruff HS Fr
Smith, Samantha Lexington, SC / Lexington HS So
Todd, Holly Loris, SC / Loris HS Sr
Young, Sierra Conway, SC / Conway HS Fr
Albertson, Justin Aiken, SC / South Aiken HS Fr
Broise, Braylin Spartanburg, SC / Greer HS Fr
Kiprop, Hillary Eldoret, Kenya / St. Francis HS Sr
Miller, Ben Chesnee, SC / Chesnee HS Jr
Roth, Jerry Avon Lake, OH / Avon Lake HS Jr
Trigg, Justin Tega City, SC / Fort Mills HS Fr
Wallace, Ian Fort Mills, SC / Nation Ford HS Fr
Waters, Tyler Clover, SC / Clover HS Fr
COACH: Mark Bluman
