May 28, 2002
ATLANTA – Led by a record six women’s entries, the Georgia Tech men’s and women’s track and field teams are set to send a combined nine competitors to the 2002 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, which open Wednesday at Louisiana State’s Bernie Moore Track Stadium in Baton Rouge, La. The meet concludes Saturday, June 1.
Senior Nicole Campbell, who is ranked ninth in the 800 meters entering the meet, leads the women’s contingent. The Atlantic Coast Conference runner-up at 800 and 1500 meters, Campbell’s top time in the 800 of 2:04.85 came at the Georgia Tech Invitational.
Tech’s men’s squad will send three competitors, all ranked in the top 10 of their respective events. Senior Chris Sinotte is ranked ninth in the javelin to lead the way. An All-ACC competitor, he owns the school record with a toss of 237’11.00″.
Sophomore Brendon Mahoney is ranked 10th in the 1500 meters with a time of 3:41.87 at the Cardinal Qualifier. An All-ACC performer, he earned All-America honors during the indoor season with a seventh-place finish in the mile. Mahoney also earned All-America accolades in the 800 during the 2000 outdoor season.
Rounding out the men’s group is junior Bryan Swarn, who is seeded 10th in the 400 meters with a time of 45.68. A three-time All-American, Swarn won ACC titles in the 400 and 4×400 relay this season. He earned All-America honors as a member of Tech’s 4×400 in 1999 and 2000 and in the 400 in 2000.
Also expected to make an impact on the women’s side is sophomore All-American Renee Metivier, who will compete in the 5000 meters. She is seeded 11th in the event with a qualifying time of 16:13.75 at the Cardinal Qualifier. The national runner-up at the 2001 NCAA Cross Country Championships, Metivier earned All-America honors in both the 3000 and 5000 at this year’s indoor championships.
Junior Katie Griffin is ranked 12th in the 10,000 meters with an automatic qualifying mark of 33:57.12 at the Stanford Invitational. She earned All-ACC honors in that event with a third-place finish at the conference meet.
Senior Sara Pardue joins Campbell in the 800 with a qualifying time of 2:06.14. An All-ACC performer this season, Pardue earned All-America honors in the 800 at the 2000 indoor championships.
Sophomore Amandi Rhett makes her NCAA debut in the 100 meters, as she is ranked 18th with a time of 11.48. That performance was good for a third-place finish at the ACC Championships. Rhett also finished second in the 200 meters to earn All-ACC honors in both events.
Senior Alisha McClinton, who will compete in the 100-meter hurdles, rounds out the women’s group. She is seeded 19th with a time of 13.45, a mark good for a runner-up finish at the conference championships.
The six women’s entries are the most ever for the Jackets’ women’s program. Tech had five entries (including a relay) in 1992. The men’s competitors are the first for the Jackets since fielding six entries in 2000.
The meet opens Wednesday at 4 p.m. with both the men’s hammer and heptathlon opening competition. Action concludes Saturday with the men’s 4×400 relay at 9:25 p.m. Visit www.lsusports.net for more information. Live Event-by-event results will be available at www.flashresults.com.
-GT-
