March 7, 2009
Ames, Iowa - Season best marks were produced by Texas A&M 4 x 400 squads during the Iowa State Last Chance meet on Saturday as they each improved their position among provisional marks for the NCAA Championships.
The men won their section and placed third overall with a mark of 3:07.26 to hold off LSU's 3:07.29 from the same section. Florida State (3:05.48) and Washington State (3:06.74) posted faster times from another section.
Running on the relay for the Aggies were Kyle Dykhuizen and Justin Oliver. They turned in the No. 5 performer and No. 6 performance on the A&M all-time indoor list. It's the third fastest time a squad from Texas A&M has recorded on the Iowa State oversized track.
Oliver also set a career best of 46.58 in the 400 meters, placing third in his section and fourth overall. Oliver now is the No. 3 performer on the Aggie indoor all-time list with the No. 5 performance with his improved NCAA provisional mark.
In the women's 4 x 400 the A&M foursome of Allison George, Porscha Lucas, Sandy Wooten posted a time of 3:35.93 to place fifth overall. The time is the No. 3 performer and No. 6 performance on the Aggie all-time indoor list. It is also the third fastest time by an A&M women's squad on an oversized track.
TCU recorded the top time of 3:34.63 followed by a 3:35.33 for Texas. Western Kentucky (3:35.38) finished third while Arizona State (3:35.86) placed fourth.
Other sprinters competing in the Iowa State Last Chance meet, but not improving on their NCAA qualifying marks, were Chris Dykes (21.25) and Khrystal Carter (24.07) in the 200. Carter posted the top time among the field running in the women's 200.
In South Bend, Indiana, Aggie jumper Keenan Hall won the triple jump with a distance of 51-5 ½, but wasn't able to improve upon his season best of 52-0 ½. The rest of the jump field at Notre Dame only reached 47 feet.
Michael Preble ran the 400 in 48.30 while the A&M men's distance medley relay did not finish.
Qualifiers for the NCAA Indoor Championships will be announced early next week. The meet will be held at Gilliam Indoor Track Stadium on the Texas A&M campus March 13-14.