April 22, 2010
PHILADELPHIA - Opening day of action for Texas A&M at the 116th Penn Relay Carnival produced a field event victory as well as the top qualifying time in the women's sprint relay at historic Franklin Field.
Action continues on Friday when the men get involved in relay action with prelims in the 4 x 100, 4 x 200 and 4 x 400 along with a final in the sprint medley. Live action from the meet can seen via the web on www.flotrack.org while live results are available at www.thepennrelays.com.
The day started out with Daphne Fitzpatrick winning the college division high jump with a clearance of 5-8 ¾ (1.75), her career best in the event. Earlier this month Fitzpatrick cleared 5-8 ½ (1.74) during the Texas Relays heptathlon.
"It's very exciting, especially due to the crowd," Fitzpatrick said. "It was fun to jump in front of so many people. It's a great experience to achieve a PR in this kind of atmosphere.
"This win gives me a lot of confidence, especially going into the Big 12 conference meet in a couple of weeks."
Fitzpatrick, facing a field of 21 jumpers, needed a third attempt clearance at 5-8 ¾ to win the event. The next three places all cleared the same height of 5-7 ¾ (1.72) with Georgia Tech's Bianca Stewart taking second over Megan Schubert of Louisville and Miami's Megan Novinger.
The previous couple of heights had Fitzpatrick clearing on her second attempt at 5-6 (1.68) and 5-7 ¾ (1.72) after a first attempt make at 5-4 ½ (1.64). She finished the day with three attempts at 5-9 ¾ (1.77).
"I'm usually good at clearing the heights on my first attempt, so it was a little frustrating today," noted Fitzpatrick. "I just concentrated on my jumps and made sure I didn't waste an attempt."
Christina Munoz and Katherine Devlin wrapped up the Aggies first day at Penn with stellar runs in the 10,000 meters. Munoz placed second in 35:03.91 while Devlin finished third in 35:05.17. Puerto Rico's Joana Rivero won in 34:13.37 among a field of 34 finishers.
Munoz, who has a personal best of 34:29.36, produced the seventh best performance on the A&M all-time list. Devlin established a career best that places her as the No. 4 performer with the eighth-best performance.
Vashti Thomas maneuvered from eighth to third place in the Championship division of the long jump and set a career best in the process. The mark that placed her third, a windy 20-10 (6.35) came in the fifth round.
Thomas' career best mark of 20-6 ¼ (6.25) was achieved in the sixth round. She is now the No. 6 performer on the Aggie all-time list.
Following the first three rounds, when the field of 11 jumpers was trimmed to eight, the best effort from Thomas only measured 19-6 (5.94). She was in eighth place, but quickly improved to second place temporarily when a 4.5 wind carried her out to a distance of 20-10.
Chantel Malone of Texas moved back into second place with a 21-0 ½ (6.41) fifth round leap while Florida's Shara Proctor defended her Penn Relays title with a windy 21-2 ½ (6.46) established in round two.
Finishing behind Thomas were a selection of NCAA indoor finalists, including TCU's Whitney Gipson (20-7 ¼w), Miami's Deandra Doyley (20-6 ½w), and Wendy Copeland of Mississippi State (20-5).
The other long jump final, the college division, had Sasha-Kay Matthias placed 12th with a 18-7 ¾ (5.68).
In the men's 5,000 Joe Sauvageau ran 14:51.52 to place 31st.
In qualifying for the 4 x 100 relays the A&M women posted the top time of 43.13 seconds to win the opening heat. The foursome of Porscha Lucas, Dominique Duncan and Gabby Mayo ran the second fastest time by the Aggies this season. This same crew won the Texas Relays in 42.56.
Finishing behind A&M in the heat were Hampton (44.90), Western Kentucky (45.13) and Connecticut (45.14).
Joining the Aggies in the Championship of America finals on Friday will be LSU (43.25), UTech of Jamaica (44.04), Auburn (44.12), Florida State (44.30), South Carolina (44.41), Oregon (44.46) and Georgetown (44.69). South Carolina was the only runner-up to advance, as they placed second to Florida State. A total of 95 teams contested the prelims.
So far this season the A&M sprint relay has established four meet records when running it's top unit. The Penn Relays meet record is 42.59 set by LSU in 2008 when the Aggies were runner-up in 42.69.
On the Penn Relays top 10 list for the 4 x 100 Texas A&M now has three marks: 42.69 (2nd), 43.10 (6th) and 43.13 (7th).
The women's 4 x 400 relay squad of Donique' Flemings, Ashika Charan and Jessica Beard won their heat in 3:33.06, the second fastest time in qualifying among a field of 36 teams.
Charan managed to move A&M from fourth to second place as she split 52.6. Beard ran a strong anchor leg of 51.4 and moved A&M from second into first, leaving Oregon (3:36.12), Virginia Tech (3:37.34) and Miami (3:39.29) well behind.
It was the second fastest time this outdoor season for the Aggies, who ran 3:32.94 for third place at the Texas Relays earlier this month.
UTech of Jamaica won the first heat in 3:32.81 over Texas (3:33.54). They will join A&M in Saturday's final along with Arkansas (3:34.03), LSU (3:34.85), Penn State (3:35.08), Oregon (3:36.12) and Auburn (3:37.10).