By: by Scott Lipsky
BOONE, N.C. - Three Owls won their respective events, and four set school records in the opening meet of the women’s track and field indoor season on Saturday, the Appalachian State Invitational, in Boone, N.C.
Freshman Michelle Quimby set the indoor school record in the Pole Vault in her first collegiate competition, vaulting a height of 3.5 meters to lead the field in her event, which included teammates Teresa Smith and Kacey Hightower. She broke Kacey Hightower’s record of 2.95 meters.
Also setting school indoor records were junior Jessica Lumpkin in the Weight Throw, freshman Cynthia Davis in the 55 meter dash, and Naquia Williams, also a freshman, in the 55 meter hurdles. Lumpkin heaved the weight a distance of 17.70 meters, breaking her own record of 17.62 meters. Naquia Williams’ time of 8.54 seconds broke Lakeshia Stinson’s school record of 8.74 seconds, while Cynthia Davis' time of 7.19 seconds smashed Sandi Brown's 7.66 second mark set in 2006, during the program's first year of existence. Lumpkin and Williams finished first and third in their events, respectively, while Davis finished eighth.
“I was really proud of how all of the girls performed today,” said head coach Don McGarey. “Michelle and Jessica really did great. It was fantastic to see Michelle do so well in her first meet with us and for Jessica to throw as well as she did, since she’s been injured recently and hasn’t had the chance to train with us as much. Also, Suzzette Van-Lare really deserves praise, competing in all three jumping events and doing as well as she did.”
Van-Lare, a sophomore, finished third in the Long Jump, fourth in the High Jump, and sixth in the Triple Jump. Senior teammate Jakia Ragland edged her out in the High Jump, finishing third.
In addition to Quimby and Lumpkin, Caitlin German was victorious as well, winning the One Mile Run with a time of 5:34.20. Kristen Gibson was the only other member of the fall’s cross country team that competed on Saturday, finishing in third place in the 3000 meter run with a time of 11:07.44. There was no 5000 meter race, as most distance runners are still recovering from the cross country season.
This is the only meet the Owls will compete in during the month of December. They will return to action on January 22 at the Niswonger Invitational in Johnson City, Tenn. East Tennessee State will be hosting the event at the same site where they will host the Atlantic Sun Indoor Track and Field Championships on February 26. Coach McGarey is excited to continue competition.
“This was a good meet. It allowed to see where are at this point in the season, and where we need to improve. We’ll give the athletes some time off and then we’re going to get right back at it and prepare for the rest of the season.”
OFFICIAL RESULTS- APPALACHIAN STATE INVITATIONAL- 12/5/09
Women’s Long Jump
3. Suzzette Van Lare- 5.54 m
Women’s Triple Jump
6. Suzzette Van-Lare 11.45 m
Women’s High Jump
3. Jakia Ragland- 1.63 m
4. Suzzette Van-Lare- 1.63 m
T7. Christie Leverette- 1.58 m
T9. Michelle Quimby- 1.58 m
Women’s Pole Vault
1. Michelle Quimby- 3.50 m
T4. Teresa Smith- 3.2 m
9. Kacey Hightower- 3.05 m
Women’s Shot Put
11. Suzee Mills- 11.68 m
14. Chiquita Hawthorne- 11.53 m
Women’s Weight Throw
1. Jessica Lumpkin- 17.70 m
6. Chiquita Hawthorne- 14.54 m
16. Suzee Mills- 12.13 m
Women’s 55 Meter Hurdles
9. Naquia Williams- 8.54
T15. Christie Leverette- 8.74
Women’s 55 Meter Dash
8. Cynthia Davis- 7.19
10. Naquia Williams- 7.21
15. Victoria Jackson- 7.33
24. Lakeshia Stinson- 7.48
Women’s 1 Mile Run
1. Caitlin German- 5:34.20
Women’s 400 Meter Dash
9. DeCoshia Boswell- 59.32
Women’s 800 Meter Run
6. Jenae Todd- 2:28.88
Women’s 200 Meter Dash
10. Victoria Jackson- 26.20
11. Cynthia Davis- 26.28
23. Naomi Mack- 27.29
35. Tai Dorsett- 28.39
Women’s 3000 Meter Run
3. Kristen Gibson-11:07.44
Women’s 4x400 Meter Relay
5. Kennesaw State ‘A’- 4:02.75
12. Kennesaw State ‘B’- 4:11.80
