Track & Field Teams Compete at High Point and Anderson
ANDERSON, S.C. - The Columbia College women's track & field team competed at the Vertklasse Meeting at Div. I High Point University on Thursday and Friday in NC and the Electric City Invite at Anderson University on Friday evening and Saturday morning in SC as they looked to qualify for the conference tournament at the end of the month.
During the women's 3000 meter Steeplechase on Friday evening in Anderson, sophomore Avarose Buccino led the Koalas by placing 9th of 12 with a personal-best time of 12:47 in a meet that consisted of all NCAA Div. II schools. Freshman Alissa McCann also finished 13th in the Steeplechase at High Point in a time of 13:32.
Then in the 5000 meter Racewalk on Saturday morning, Columbia was led by senior Jennyfer Vigueras placing 2nd overall in a time of 39:56 while freshman teammate Mizoria Cook finished 3rd in 42:46 while sophomore Amelia Nifong was 4th in 42:52.
In the men's 5000 meter Racewalk, sophomore Jude Dill won the race in a time of 30:40 while freshmen teammates and brothers Jordon Miller and Jalen Miller finished 2nd and 3rd overall in times of 30:41 and 35:30 respectively.
HIGH POINT, N.C. - During the VK meeting, Columbia saw senior distance runner Juliana Gonzalez finish 54th overall out of 87 in the 1500 meters in a time of 5:08 while she was 49th of 75 in the 800 meters in a time of 2:33. Freshmen Aja Rushing and Annsley Howle also placed 51st in 2:35 for personal-best times while McCann was 58th in 2:38. Howle then finished 25th in the 400 meter Hurdles in 1:15.
The ladies' 4x100 meter relay time also placed 11th in 48.25 seconds while they were 5th of 7 among D-2 and D-3 schools. In the 4x400 meter relay, the Lady Koalas finished 16th of 23 overall in a time of 4:05.
In the Long Jump, CC's Jayla Graham finished tied for 19th out of 42 with a season-best mark of 5.46 meters (nearly 18 ft) while she was 6th among D-2 schools. In the Triple Jump, freshman Chenoa Haygood placed in a tie for 18th out of 37 with a mark of 11.04 meters (over 36 ft).
In the Hammer throw, AAC Indoor Champion Doreshia McAllister finished 10th overall out of 30 throwers with a mark of 43.5 meters (over 142 ft) as she was 4th among D-2s.
In the 100m Sprints, freshman Dara Gray placed 12th overall out of 84 with a time of 12.24 seconds for her personal-best time while J. Graham was 33rd at 12.72 seconds and junior Kwamecia Marks 43rd in 12.93. Junior Myikayla Howard was also 55th in 13.19 seconds.
Gray then finished 27th out of 127 sprinters in the 200 meters in a time of 25.1 seconds for her season-best while sophomore Faith Eugene was 67th in 26.33 seconds. In the 400 meters, sophomore Tylashia Alston finished 18th out of 80 in a time of 59.1 seconds while freshman Sharetta Jones was 34th in one minute flat.
The women are next competing on April 10 in Florence, SC at the Francis Marion Invite.