Women's Indoor Track and Field Southern Conference

WCU, VMI Lead Indoor Track and Field Championships

JOHNSON CITY, TN - The Western Carolina women lead the pack with 58 points after day one at the Southern Conference Indoor Track and Field Championships in a quest for their third straight title. VMI leads the mens side with 34 points followed by Appalachian State with 32 points.

Furman senior Jill Braley started the day winning the 3000-meter in a time of 10:08.58, three seconds ahead of Chattanooga freshman Oddbjorg Haugen. ETSU senior Emily Campbell, who finished seventh in the event in 2000, took third in a time of 10:12.96. Western Carolina junior Virginia LaCombe repeated as the high jump champion, finishing with a jump of 507.75 followed by sophomore Jennifer Carroll from VMI (505.75) who finished third in 2000. UTC senior Tyleana Hanner took third with a jump of 503.75.

The Lady Catamounts swept the top two spots in the pole vault, led by senior Valerie Jalajas (111175) who won her third straight crown in the event. Fellow Catamount freshman Michelle Velez finished second (1105.75) with VMI freshman Nadia Wendlandt taking third (1006.00). Lady Moc senior Tyleana Hanner won her first long jump title with a height of 2000.25, matching the NCAA Provisional mark. ASU senior Angela Pryor (1900.50) took second in the event for the second straight year followed by WCU freshman Kamata Potts (1809.75). Ashley Herndon, a junior from Western, won her third straight shot put title with a mark of 4409.75 with ASU sophomore La Shanna Poole taking second (4210.75). Appalachian State repeated as the distance medley relay champions (12:14.16) followed by Chattanooga (12:25.09) and Furman (12:26.82). ASU senior Shonte Pinkston ran a 6.88 in the 55-meters preliminaries, and NCAA provisional time and only .08 off the NCAA Automatic.

On the mens side, UTC junior Curtis Gadula pulled an upset, winning the 3000-meters in a time of 8:36.42 with ASU junior Alan Marion taking second (8:37.43) and Davidson junior Dan Gibson finishing third (8:38.89). Ben Bissette, the 2000 champion, finished fourth (8:40.00). Junior Quentin Armstrong won his first SoCon title, taking the shot put with a mark of 4906.50. ETSU junior Josh Artau finished second (4811.50) with fellow Buc freshman Chad Hydar finishing third (4808.25).

One conference record fell on the mens side tonight with Marcus Lynch winning the long jump with his record-breaking height of 2501.75, also an NCAA Provisional mark. App States Michael Hanks set the previous record of 2501.25 in 1987. Lynch was followed by senior Damion McLean of ASU (2404.25) and VMI senior Aaron Yarbough (2307.50). Appalachian won the distance medley in a time of 10:20.20, followed by VMI (10:21.76) and 2000 champion Chattanooga (10:27.21.

The championships conclude on Saturday, February 24 beginning at 9:00am with the final event beginning at 3:50.pm. For complete results, click on the SoCon Indoor Track and Field Results link on the SoCon's Men's or Women's Indoor Track and Field webpage.