Feb. 1, 2003
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Led by wins in the 3000 and 5000 meters by senior Amy Dock and a pair of school records, the Georgia Tech men’s and women’s track and field teams had an impressive showing Saturday at the Carolina Fast Times Meet at North Carolina’s Eddie Smith Field House.
Dock was victorious in the 3000 with a time of 10:09.87 and she held off teammate Neta Ezer to win the 5000 in 17:35.15. Both times were season-bests for the Jackets. Freshman Chaunte Howard joined Dock in the winner’s circle for the women, as she took the high jump in 5’11.25″, which equals a season-best. Howard also took third in the long jump with a season-best mark of 19’8.25″
On the men’s side, sophomore Neil McDonagh placed first in the mile in 4:13.50.
In addition to the victories, a pair of Jackets improved on school records set earlier this season. Freshman Jessica Graff cleared 12’11.50″ in the pole vault to finish second. She improved her NCAA provisional mark, as well as the school record posted earlier this season at the Kentucky Invitational. Sophomore Ian Brewer claimed the other school mark, as he had a toss of 57’4.75″ in the weight throw to finish seventh in a very competitive field.
The Jackets also saw several more season bests Saturday. As for the women, sophomore Shanta Smith had a strong day with a time of 55.91 to place fourth in the 400 meters and a leap of 40’00.50″ to take second in the triple jump. Both marks are her bests for 2003. Sophomore Dana Rogers posted her best mark in the 60-meter hurdles (8.55) in a runner-up finish, while the 4×400 relay team also recorded a season-best mark of 3:48.04.
Sophomore Brian Ford led the men with a season-best 49.11 in the 400 meters. He placed third, while senior Sharif Azim was fourth (49.15). Junior Michael Massey added a career-best of his own, clearing 6’11.75″ in the high jump to finish second.
Other top-three finishes for Tech came from junior Amandi Rhett in the 60 (second) and 200 meters (third), the women’s distance medley relay (second), senior Joe Poliseo in the 3000 meters (second), the men’s 4×400 relay (third) and freshman I-Perfection Harris in the long jump (third).
Tech returns to action Sunday, February 9 at the Gator Invitational in Gainesville, Fla.
-GT-
