Jan. 18, 2003
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Led by a pair of victories from junior Amandi Rhett, the Georgia Tech men’s and women’s track and field teams combined to win six events Saturday at the Kentucky Invitational at the Wildcats’ Nutter Field House.
Rhett placed first in both the 60-meter dash and 200 meters. She took the 60 in a NCAA provisional qualifying mark of 7.41, a time that equals her career best. Teammate Jessica DeFreitas finished second in the event. Rhett won the 200 meters in a time of 24.25, while sophomore Shanta Smith finished third.
The other victory on the women’s side came from freshman Jessica Graff in the pole vault. She cleared a height of 12’9.50″ to set a Tech school record and provisionally qualify for the 2002 NCAA Indoor Championships. Classmate Kira Barcus took second in the event and junior Jodie Nettles placed third.
The Jackets’ men’s team picked up a trio of wins as well. Senior All-American Bryan Swarn won a rare appearance in the 800 meters with a time of 1:51.94, while junior Brendon Mahoney took second.
Junior Kyle Rabbitt posted a career-best time of 8:15.76 in a victorious 3000-meter race. Sophomore Neil McDonagh took second in the same event.
The final win for Tech came courtesy of Michael Massey, who won the high jump in a career-best leap of 6’11.50″
Other strong showings for the men came from sophomore Alex Berardi, who was third in the pole vault, senior Brian Fraser, who placed third in the long jump, and sophomore Zeb Sion, who finished third in the shot put.
The Yellow Jacket women also had solid performances from sophomore Dana Rogers, who was third in the 60-meter hurdles, and senior Cassandra Worthy, who was second in the shot put.
Freshman Chaunte Howard contributed her second runner-up finish in as many days, as she took second in the long jump with a leap of 19’6.25″. DeFreitas placed third in the event.
Tech returns to action Saturday, January 25 at the MTSU Invitational.
-GT-
