Feb. 5, 2009
The Georgia Tech men’s and women’s track & field team’s will compete at the Virginia Tech Elite Invitational Friday and Saturday in Blacksburg, Va. The meet will begin at 5 p.m. Friday with the women’s long jump and weight throw, and the men’s distance medley at the Rector Field House.
The Yellow Jackets will be apart of seven Atlantic Coast Conference schools competing in the 10-team field hosted by 2008 indoor conference champion Virginia Tech.
“After a week off from competition, we are looking forward to our trip to Blacksburg, men’s head coach Grover Hinsdale said. “This will be a very competitive meet and it’s the site of the upcoming ACC Championships. Our team has done an excellent job thus far this season and has prepared well for the challenge that awaits us.”
The men’s team, which has seen two Tech indoor records broken so far this season, leads the ACC in the 400 meters (Antonio McKay Jr., 47.66) , mile run (E.C. Gibbs, 4:06.69), 55 meter hurdles (Dave Ford, 7.50), high jump (Jerome Miller, 7-04.50) and triple jump (Alphonso Jordan, 51-10.50).
Junior Steve Marcelle became the most recent Jacket to set a Tech indoor record with his 61-05.75 mark in the shot put at the J.D. Martin Invitational in Norman, Okla. last weekend. One of only two Tech men’s competitors at the meet, Marcelle posted an NCAA provisional qualifying mark and the current fifth longest throw in the nation.
“After a week off, the VT Elite Invitational is an outstanding competitive opportunity for our women,” head women’s coach Alan Drosky said. “Many ACC schools will participate and the facility is the best one in our conference. With the ACC Championships fast approaching and also being held at Virginia Tech, this meet will be excellent preparation.”
The women’s squad received strong showings at the J.D. Martin as well. Sophomore Joanna Wright took the title in the pole vault, reaching a personal-best height of 12-11.50 for a NCAA provisional mark of her won. Also competing well at the Invitational was senior’s Kimery Hern and Alana Clooten. Hern took second place in the weight throw with a distance of 57-06.50, while Clooten wrapped up third with a mark of 57-05.00.
“We’re looking for many of the women to record seasonal and personal bests this weekend,” Drosky added.
Both men’s and women’s throwers will get the weekend off from competition in preparation for Iowa State Classic Feb.13-14.
Complete results and a recap will be available after the conclusion of each day on www.RamblinWreck.com. Live results will be available at www.flashresults.com.
