KEVIN JENISON
GoSycamores.com
BLOOMINGTON, IND. - Sycamore junior Stacia Weatherford set the school record in the women's 60 meter hurdles while sophomore Greggmar Swift dominated the action in the men's 60 meter hurdles during competition Saturday at the Indiana relays.
Weatherford broke the record twice Saturday as she placed fifth overall in the women's 60 meter hurdles. The Sycamore junior ran 8.66 in the semifinals which was the fifth fastest heading into the finals and broke the two-year-old school record of Erica Moore, who ran 8.69 in 2010.
"Weatherford was really motivated today," Angela Martin, Indiana State women's track & field coach, said. "She posted personal bests every time she stepped on the track today which is quite an accomplishment."
Weatherford came back with another record setting performance, running 8.57 seconds in placing fifth overall and the fourth collegian in a very close finish. Tamika Robinson, running unattached and formerly a hurdler at the University of Illinois, won the event with a time of 8.33.
"We had a lot of positives today," John McNichols, Indiana State men's track & field coach, said. "I was a little disappointed in some of the races but overall it was a good day."
Swift dominated the 60 meter hurdles, recording the fastest time in each of series. He posted a winning time of 7.98 seconds in the finals after running 7.88 in the semifinals earlier Saturday. Sophomore Duane Brown also advanced to the finals and finished seventh with a time of 8.24. Brown had the third fastest time in the semifinals of 8.15 which was a personal best for the sophomore.
"Swift was able to win in a rugged final against some quality athletes and Weatherford also ran well in both of her races today," McNichols said. "I was pleased with the effort of Escalera and Selby in the 5K, and Jackson in the 400. Pounds is making great progress in the throws and is ready for the next step."
Weatherford continued her outing with a third place finish in the women's 400 meters in a personal best 55.85 which is the sixth fastest 400 meters in school history. Sophomore Shelby Higginbottom was 14th out of the 60 competitors with a time of 58.23.
Weatherford finished off her day by running the opening leg of the 4x400 meter relay. The team, composed of Weatherford, Shelby Higginbottom, Macey Black, and Leeann Michl, placed eighth with a season best time of 3:47.74. That is the sixth best 4x400 meter relay time in school history.
"We competed much better today," Martin said. "I thought that our focus was much better in every event and the team earned top five finishes in several events."
Also Saturday, Felisha Johnson was the top collegian in the women's invitational weight throw with a distance of 68'-5.75" (20.87 meters). Johnson finished eighth overall in the invitational shot put with a heave of 50'-3.25" (15.32 meters) while teammate Mary Theisen threw a personal best 52'-2.75" (15.92 meters) to place fifth overall.
Nicole Hope was the top collegian and second overall in the women's invitational pole vault, clearing a personal best 13'-5.25" (4.10 meters). She was just behind former Indiana vaulter Vera Neuenswander, who competed unattached and cleared 13'-9.25" (4.20 meters). Sycamore Richelle Kimble also established a personal best by clearing 12'-9.5" (3.90 meters) in placing sixth overall and the fourth collegian.
Albaro Escalera ran in the men's invitational 5,000 meters and clocked the third fastest time in school history, finishing in a personal best 14:33.64 to place seventh overall. Brandon Pounds placed sixth in the invitational weight throw with a distance of 66'-7" (20.29 meters).
Kristy Twitchell ran a personal best 2:16.33 to place ninth in the 800 meters with Kacie Klem 18th (2:19.02) and Kalli Dalton 26th (2:21.56). Demetra Camble ran 26.64 to finish 18th in the 200 meters.
Jonathan Jackson ran a personal best 49.37 to place fifth in the 400 meters while Ryan Dickson clocked a personal best 50.31 to finish 16th out of the 48 runners. Corey Hahn came close to a personal best in the 800 meters as he placed 13th in 1:54.74. Tristan Selby ran in his first 5,000 meters of the indoor season and placed third with a time of 15:04.42.
The men's 4x400 meter relay team of Kevin Piraino, Max Tuttle, Ryan Dickson, and Jonathan Jackson finished eighth overall with a time of 3:18.25.
The Sycamores will continue their swing through invitational meets next weekend as they travel to the campus of the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind., for the Meyo Invitational on Friday and Saturday.
