May 9, 2009
Seniors David Ford and Mellany Stanislaus posted NCAA Regional qualifying performances to lead the Georgia Tech track & field teams on the final day of competition at the Seminole Twilight Invitational Saturday in Tallahassee, Fla. Tech has now qualified in 25 events on the season.
Ford’s career-best time in the 110 hurdles couldn’t have come at a better time with two weeks left until the NCAA East Region Championships. After being injured for almost the entire 2008 outdoor season, the Indianapolis, Ind. native ran a 14.09 for a second-place finish in a very fast group at the Mike Long track. Ford’s previous fastest time was a 14.32 run at the Auburn Invitational on April 3.
Stanislaus’ regional mark came at a 40’6.75″ distance in the triple jump, good enough for third-place at the meet. The Jackets were also strong in the hammer throw on the day, taking first, second and third by senior Kimery Hern, senior Alana Clooten and sophomore Bailey Wagner.
Senior E.C. Gibbs added a career-best run in the 1500-meters, finishing first in a time of 3:41.65. Gibbs, who already regionally qualified, topped his previous career-best by almost four seconds.
The Jackets will host the Georgia Tech Invitational next Friday and Saturday before heading off to the NCAA East Regional Championships May 29-30 in Greensboro, N.C.
