May 13, 2017
THE FLATS – Georgia Tech track and field junior William Solomon leapt onto the podium on Saturday night with a third-place jump in the men’s long jump for All-ACC First Team honors on day two of the 2017 ACC Outdoor Track and Field Championships at George C. Griffin Track. Five Jackets advanced to Sunday’s finals.
The final day of competition starts at 2 p.m. with the field events, followed by running events at 5 p.m.
“I am very pleased with the effort and fight I saw today from our guys,” said men’s track and field head coach Grover Hinsdale. “We had many personal records and a nice group that advanced to tomorrow’s finals. Zach Gunnz made his second final with his effort in the 100m. Lionel Jones ran a PR in the 400m for the second meet in a row. The 800m group was outstanding tonight with two making the finals and 2 PRs. Alex Grady ran a very tough 3000m steeplechase. William Solomon finished out our great day with a third-place finish in the long jump. I’m looking forward to finishing strong tomorrow.”
“We had some ups and downs today, and several near misses in advancing to the finals tomorrow,” said women’s track and field head coach Alan Drosky. “Jeanine was outstanding in the hurdles, setting herself up really well for tomorrow. Kenya also advanced and has a big race in her and a great opportunity tomorrow. Both relays can score, two women compete in the 1500m final, and we also have the triple jump. We have to take advantage of every opportunity and be at our best.”
Solomon soared to a third-place finish in the long jump with a mark of 7.48m. This mark earned the Rialto, Calif., native All-ACC First Team honors. Solomon earned First Team All-ACC in the indoor season with a second-place finish in the long jump at ACC Indoors.
Andreas Ward advanced to the 110m hurdles finals, cruising to a career-best time of 14.31 in prelims. Senior Zachary Gunnz moved on to the 100m finals, posting a time of 10.61 in prelims. Lionel Jones registered a career-best time of 48.30 in the 400m but did not advance to the finals.
Avery Bartlett won his heat in the 800m prelims to advance to Sunday’s finals. Andres Littig joins him with a time of 1:50.37. Gabriel Darosa and Bennett Hillier clocked career-best times in the 800m prelims of 1:51.24 and 1:51.27, respectively, but did not advance to the finals. Alex Grady scored for the Yellow Jackets, taking eighth in the 3000m steeplechase with a time of 9:15.51.
With less than half the events scored, the men’s squad sits in 12th with seven points.
Jeanine Williams posted the best time in the 100m hurdles prelims, advancing to the finals with a lifetime-best performance of 13.02. Williams’ time ranks 12th in the nation and sixth in the NCAA East Region. Kenya Collins also advanced to the finals of the 100m hurdles with a career-best time of 13.46.
Charlotte Stephens and Haley Anderson posted lifetime-best finishes in the 800m prelims. After topping her 1500m time by nearly eight seconds on day one, Stephens registered a time of 2:10.75 in the 800m prelims. Anderson topped her 800m time by three seconds with a time of 2:09.61. Neither advanced to Sunday’s final.
After day two, the Georgia Tech women hold at 13th with eight points.
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