May 25, 2010
ATLANTA – 17 members of Georgia Tech men’s and women’s track and field teams will take part in the 2010 NCAA East Regional Meet this weekend in Greensboro, N.C. Action gets underway at the Irwin Belk Track on the campus of North Carolina A&T on Thursday at 10 a.m. and runs through Saturday evening.
In all, 11 members of the Yellow Jacket women’s team will be making the trip to Greensboro, while six members of the men’s squad will participate as well. All will be looking to punch their respective tickets to the NCAA Outdoor Championships, which will be held in Eugene, Ore. from June 9-12.
The men’s team, who registered their best finish all-time at the East Regional meet last season (fifth), are led by senior’s Alphonso Jordan and Steve Marcelle. Jordan will compete in two events at the meet, the triple jump (where he is the second seed) and the high jump, while Marcelle will compete in the shot put (as the third seed) and the discus (where he is seeded tenth).
Also competing from the Yellow Jacket men’s squad will be junior Antonio McKay Jr. (400m dash), senior David Ford (110m hurdles), senior Juan Cave (high jump) and senior Omar Morrison (long and triple jump).
“We are looking forward to our trip to Greensboro to compete in the East Region Championship,” men’s head coach Grover Hinsdale said. “It’s a new set-up with two regions (east/west) than the four we have had over the last several years. We are healthy and ready to go.”
For the women, Tech will be led into regionals by junior Joanna Wright in the pole vault (who is seeded 10th) and senior Alana Clooten, who is the 14 seed in the hammer throw.
Other Jackets who will be in action in the meet include Tiffany Grant (400m dash), Melanie Akwule (100m hurdles), Mary Kate DuBard (10,000 run), Leslie Njoku (400m hurdles) and Jasmine Isley (400m hurdles). Meanwhile in field events, Bianca Stewart and Terri Ann Grant will take part in the high jump, Jhanelle McLeod will participate in the long and triple jump and Bailey Wagner will take part in the shot put.
“This is a big weekend in Greensboro,” women’s head coach Alan Drosky said. “The women have continued to improve their performances throughout the season, all pointing to this weekend’s NCAA East Regional. The goal is simple- earn a spot at the NCAA National Championships by placing in the top twelve in each event in Greensboro. But it will take some great efforts as the competition is outstanding. Several women have great opportunities to advance, but they will need to be at their best this week.”
In a change from previous seasons, the country has been split into two regions – East and West – with the top 48 athletes in a region qualifying for the Preliminary Round. The top 12 finishers in an event at each regional preliminary will advance to the NCAA Outdoor Championships.
Fans are reminded that they can follow all the action from the Belk Track in Greensboro all weekend at www.flashresults.com. Full results and a recap will also be posted to www.RamblinWreck.com once action wraps up each evening of the Region Championship.
