May 9, 2002
ATLANTA – With the 2002 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships drawing near, the Georgia Tech men and women’s teams will compete in three different meets this weekend with the hopes of securing more spots at the upcoming nationals. The Jackets will compete Friday at Stanford’s Cardinal Qualifier, as well as Saturday at Clemson’s Orange & Purple Classic and the Modesto Relays in Modesto, Calif.
Tech will send its many of its top distance and middle distance runners to the Cardinal Qualifier, including sophomore indoor All-Americans Brendon Mahoney and Renee Metivier. Mahoney already owns provisional marks in the 800 and 1500 meters, while Metivier is provisionally qualified in the 3000-meter steeplechase and the 5000 meters. Also travelling to Stanford will be seniors Nicole Campbell, who will compete in the 1500 meters, and Sara Pardue, who will race at 800 meters. Both already own provisional marks. Senior Joe Stegall will also compete in the men’s 1500 meters.
Many of the Jackets’ top women’s sprinters and hurdlers will compete in the Modesto Relays. Leading the way will be All-ACC performers Alisha McClinton, Mishanta Reyes and Amandi Rhett. Freshman Shanta Smith, junior Jessica DeFreitas and senior ACC high jump champion Jennifer Ledbetter round out the group. McClinton and Rhett will both try to improve on provisional marks in the 100-meter hurdles and 100 meters, respectively.
The largest group will be competing at Clemson on Saturday. Headlining is junior Bryan Swarn, who has met the provisional mark in the 400 meters and as a member of the men’s 4×400 relay, which will also compete. The men’s team will also send a large group of field event competitors, led by Chris Sinotte, who is provisionally qualified with a school record toss in the javelin.
The women will also send a sizeable group led by senior Angela Levens, who has already set a school record in the hammer throw earlier this season.
-GT-
