KEVIN JENISON
GoSycamores.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. ? There was plenty to celebrate for the Indiana State track & field team at the rain delayed Billy Hayes Invitational on Friday but there was also plenty to be concerned about.
Indiana State senior Kylie Hutson broke the outdoor collegiate record in the women's pole vault when she cleared 14'-9.5” (4.51 meters) on her second attempt during Friday's competition. Then, on her second attempt at 15'-1.5” (4.61 meters), a height which would break the overall (indoor and outdoor) pole vault record, Hutson's pole broke and the senior suffered a hand injury.
“There was plenty of celebration going on when she cleared 4.51 meters,” John Gartland, Indiana State women's track & field coach said. “Then it was like a morgue after the pole broke. Until the hand can be examined further this coming week, she will remain questionable for the rest of the season.”
Hutson broke the outdoor record of 14'-7.25” (4.45 meters) which was set by Tracy O'Hara of UCLA on April 22, 2000 in Austin, Tex. She also broke her own school record of 14'-5.25” (4.40 meters) which she set in winning the NCAA Outdoor Championship a year ago. The record she was after was the mark of Amy Linnen of Arizona, who cleared 14'-10.25” (4.53 meters) at the 2002 NCAA Indoor Championships. She is now tied with Thorey Elisdottir' of Geogia, who cleared 14'-9.5" (4.51 meters) during the 2001 NCAA Indoor Championships.
Hutson's school record vault was just one of the highlights for the Indiana State women at the Billy Hayes Invitational. Fellow senior Erica Moore set a new school record in winning the 400 meters with a blistering time of 52.60, a time that is the seventh fastest in the nation to date. Moore broke the record time of 53.09 set by Alicia Miller in 2004.
Another Sycamore who had a great performance was Allison Malone who ran 4:32.48 to finish second in the 1,500 meters. That is the fifth fastest time in school history. Senior Lauren Martin was a third winner for Indiana State Friday, taking the triple jump with a leap of 41'-5” (12.62 meters).
Felisha Johnson finished fourth in the shot put with a heave of 47'-11” (14.60 meters) while Autumn Sowders was fourth in the javelin with a throw of 115'-3” (35.13 meters), and Stacia Weatherford finished sixth in the 100 meter hurdles with a time of 14.69 in the finals after a personal best time of 14.54 in the preliminaries.
The 4x100 meter relay team of Jaquelle Spencer, Lauren Martin, Jasmyn Hudgins, and Violet Nwordu was third in 46.91.
On the men's side, Ernest Rollins was second in the triple jump with a leap of 47'-2.5” (14.39 meters) and Brandon Pounds second in the shot put with a toss of 56'-4.5” (17.18 meters).
Michael Disher ran to a second place finish in the 3,000 meters at 8:28.09, Scott Keeney finished fifth in the 3,000 meter steeplechase in 9:36.51, and Michael Roberts finished fourth in the 110 meter hurdles in 14.90 after running 14.84 in the preliminaries.
The 4x100 meter relay team of Patrick Mendenhall, Michael Roberts, Justin Baxtron, and Andrew Stull placed fifth with a time of 41.58.
