May 5, 2002
COLUMBUS, OHIO – The Georgia Tech men’s and women’s track and field teams competed in Ohio State’s 17th annual Jesse Owens Track Classic Sunday and came away with 11 top five finishes.
Junior Bryan Swarn, the ACC champion at 400 meters, led the men’s team, placing first in that event with a NCAA provisional qualifying time of 46.11. Teammates Sharif Azim (6th, 47.40) and Brian Ford (7th, 47.43) also competed in the 400 meters and finished in the top ten.
In the men’s shot put, freshmen throwers Zeb Sion (55’01.00″) and Jonathan Spillman (53’07.50″) finished third and fourth respectively. In the long jump, junior Brian Fraser placed fourth with a leap of 23’03.25″ and classmate Chris Crawley placed fifth with a jump of 22’06.50″. Sophomore Spencer Irvine finished fourth in the triple jump with a measurement of 45’06.25″. In the javelin throw, freshman Anthony Hoover placed fourth with a throw of 193’11.00″.
Sophomore Amandi Rhett led the women’s team with a win in the 100 meters. She posted a time of 11.60 in the final, while junior Jessica DeFreitas was seventh in the same event. DeFreitas also placed second in the long jump (19’10.75″). Senior Mishanta Reyes (18’06.50″) finished seventh in that event. In the 100 meter hurdles, Reyes finished fourth with a time of 14.07.
In the 400 meters, freshman Shanta Smith finished fourth with a time of 55.17. Senior high jumper Jennifer Ledbetter placed ninth in her event with a jump of 5’01.75″. Senior Dana Hall placed tenth in the shot put with a throw of 44’08.75″.
The Jackets have several options for competition next weekend, including Orange & Purple Classic and the Modesto Relays. Tech hosts its next home meet, the Georgia Tech Invitational, May 16-18.
