April 23, 2009
PHILADELPHIA - Relay qualifying went very well for the Texas A&M women during the Thursday session of the 115th Penn Relay Carnival at Franklin Field. The Aggies had the top time in the 4 x 100 and the second fastest mark in the 4 x 400. They advance to the Championship of America final in both events.
The lone final for the Aggie women during Thursday's action came in the long jump where Ashika Charan, the 2007 Penn Relays champion, placed sixth with a wind-aided mark of 19-8 (5.99). Teammate Vashti Thomas reached a distance of 18-8.5 (5.70) for 13th place.
Winning the second heat of the 4 x 100 relay with a time of 43.80 seconds, amid a 54-degree afternoon, the Aggies quick run produced a "wooo" from the crowd after LSU claimed the first heat in 44.66. South Carolina was a distant runner-up to A&M in the second heat with a time of 45.27.
In 4 x 400 qualifying the Aggie women produced a time of 3:36.19 to post their third fastest time of the outdoor season. They led their heat through the first three legs as UTech of Jamaica offered a challenge. On the anchor leg UTech claimed the lead for good as they won in 3:34.99.
Also running in the heat with A&M were Florida State (3:37.94) and North Carolina (3:38.59), who finished with the third and fourth fastest qualifying times on the day.
A&M and LSU, the defending Penn Relays champion, produced the top two times in the qualifying round of the sprint relay. Joining them in the Championship of America final on Friday (12:10 p.m. CST) will be Auburn (44.89), North Carolina (45.24), South Carolina (45.27), TCU (45.29), Tennessee (45.36) and Connecticut (45.60).
Advancing to the college final of the women's 4 x 100 are Texas Tech (46.00), Florida (46.15), Miami (46.19), Georgia State (46.28), Oklahoma (46.31), Central Florida (46.37), Mississippi State (46.48), and St. Augustine's (46.54).
Running with the order of Khrystal Carter, Porscha Lucas, Allison George and Gabby Mayo the Aggie crew posted A&M's fifth-fastest time of the season. They lead the 2009 collegiate ranks with a 42.91 from the Texas Relays.
So far this outdoor season Texas A&M women have produced six marks that rank among the top 20 times in the world for 2009. Three of the Aggie marks - 42.91, 43.08 and 43.47 - rank among the top 10 this year.
The A&M line-up in the 4 x 400 included Mayo on the opening leg and then three legs from the Aggies NCAA Indoor championship squad in Jessica Beard, Lucas and George.
Saturday's Championship of America final in the women's 4 x 400 will include the top four teams in Texas A&M's heat along with TCU (3:39.25), Miami (3:40.15), LSU (3:40.18) and Houston (3:43.71).