Women's Outdoor Track and Field Southern Conference

White Sisters' Qualifying Marks Highlight Apps' Performances at Raleigh Relays

BOONE, N.C.-In a field of better than 80 programs, Appalachian State University's track and field squads posted a school record and two NCAA East Region qualifying marks at the Raleigh Relays hosted by N.C. State.

Ronda and Tondra White both leapt distances in the triple jump that exceeded qualifying standards for the NCAA East Regional championships. Ronda White jumped 42-feet, 4.75-inches and finished second in the competition, while twin sister Tondra reached 40-feet, 4.25-inches to place sixth in the event.

For Tondra, the performance marked her first regional qualifying standard of her career. The qualifying distance is the second in as many years for Ronda, who advanced to the NCAA outdoor championships last spring. Ronda White also notched a top 10 effort in the long jump, with a distance of 18-feet, 10-inches.

Junior Marivi Mercado established a new Mountaineer record in the women's 3000-meter steeplechase. Mercado finished eighth in the event with a school record time of 11:34.94, nearly 13 seconds faster than the previous record of 11:47.46.

The women's 4x400-meter relay team of Tondra White, Jennifer Claud, Matasha Brown, Christina Roberts passed the baton quick enough to finish 10th out of 43 teams and finished the distance in 3:48.91.

Junior Joe Halin led the Mountaineer men with a sixth place showing in the 5000-meter run. Halin crossed the line in 14:44.99.

Other top 10 showings included, Sophomore Anthony Greer's seventh-place effort in the shot put and Bob Smith's 10th-place toss of the discus. Greer heaved the shot put 53-feet, 10.25-inches. Already qualified for the regionals in the discus, Greer finished seventh in the shot put. Smith, who has also already qualified for the regional championships, flung the discus 159-feet, 5-inches.