By: by Scott Lipsky
Full Results
CONWAY, S.C. – It was a successful weekend for the women’s track and field program in their opening meet of the outdoor season, as they posted 18 top-10 finishes at the Asics Coastal Carolina Invitational in Conway, S.C.
Senior high jumper Jakia Ragland posted the Owls lone victory at the event held on the campus of Coastal Carolina University, winning the High Jump in her 2010 outdoor track debut, with a leap of 5’5” (1.65 meters) to lead a trio of Owls who recorded top-10 performances in the event that included freshman Michelle Quimby and sophomore Suzzette Van-Lare.
The women finished in the top five in all three of the relay events they competed in- placing third in the 4x400 meters (3:57.19) and 4x200 (1:41.56) meters and fifth in the 4x100 meters (48.08 seconds). Sophomore Victoria Jackson, who was a part of all three relay teams, was excited to be competing outdoors once again.
“It’s good to get back to what you know, since throughout my high school days, I only competed outdoors,” said Jackson, who was named the Atlantic Sun Conference’s Female Runner of the Week on February 3 for setting an indoor school record in the 200 meter dash. She finished fifth in that event this week, with a time of 25.20 seconds. “The season is just getting started, so it was great to get back out there with my teammates, work on our exchanges, and compete outdoors again.”
Quimby, who finished sixth in the High Jump, also placed third in the Pole Vault on Saturday morning, clearing a height of 10’11.75” (3.35 meters). Senior Jill Arthur rounded out a solid showing by the field athletes, placing third in the Triple Jump with a top jump of 37’11.5” (11.57 meters).
The Owls continue their outdoor season on March 26, when they travel to Western Carolina University in Cullowhee to compete in the Beynon Sports Surfaces Catamount Classic.
