Alabama
Florida State Relays
Alabama Track & Field Teams Continue Solid Start to Outdoor Season at Florida State Relays
3/24/2017 8:29:00 PM | Track & Field, Cross Country
Gayle, Herrscher, Zelden and McConnell post top-10 performances on Friday
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Alabama track & field teams posted five event victories and recorded eight marks that rank among the top-10 on the school's all-time lists and 33 personal bests to cap a successful day at the Florida State Relays in Tallahassee, Fla. on Friday.
For the men, senior Steven Gayle won the 200 meters in a personal-best 20.48, the 10th-fastest time in school history. Sophomore Will Herrscher won the pole vault with a personal-best mark of 17-1 3/4 (5.23m), the second-best clearance in school history. Junior Angelo Goss won the 110-meter hurdles in 14.03.
The men finished fourth in the team standings with 97.5 points. Host Florida State won the meet with 177.5 points, followed by Liberty (119.5) and Auburn (100.5). Southern Miss was fifth with 86 points.
On the women's side, senior Jessica Gray won the 2,000- meter steeplechase in a personal-best 7:07.53 and Alabama swept the top four spots in the 100 meters as senior Diamond Gause (11.65), sophomore Janel Pate (11.75) and juniors Olivia Fotopoulou (11.86) and Filippa Fotopoulou (11.87) finished 1-2-3-4.
Freshman Samantha Zelden continued her strong start to the 2017 season as she finished second in the javelin with a throw of 169-1 (51.55m), the third-best throw in school history. Four of Zelden's six attempts on Friday now rank among the top six in UA history. Junior Danielle McConnell finished second in the hammer throw with a personal-best mark of 200-11 (61.24m). The effort is the third-best in school history and McConnell's first time over 200 feet in the event. McConnell also had a throw of 199-3 (60.73m) that ranks as the fifth-best all-time at Alabama.
The Tide women finished fifth in the team race with 95 points. Florida State won the competition with 146.25 points, followed by Auburn (134), Liberty (107.25) and Southern Miss (101.5)
"This was a good meet for us," head coach Dan Waters said. "We had several freshmen get their first taste of outdoor competition at the college level and had a number of personal bests and top-10 performances across the board. We have another competitive meet coming up next weekend coming up with the Florida and Stanford meets so we have to continue to improve."
Alabama will split its teams next weekend with the majority of both squads competing at the Florida Relays, March 30-April 1 in Gainesville, Fla. and a smaller contingent traveling to Palo Alto, Calif. for the Stanford Relays on April 1.
Men's Event Summaries – Florida State Relays
Finals
2,000-Meter Steeplechase – Senior Josh Short (5:58.13) and freshman J.P. Brinyark (6:11.18) finished 2-3 in the 2,000-meter steeplechase. The race was the outdoor collegiate debut for Brinyark.
110-Meter Hurdles – Junior Angelo Goss won the 110-meter hurdles in 14.03.
800 Meters – In his outdoor season debut, senior Payton Ballard finished third in the 800 meters at 1:52.14. Freshman Oliver Rigg finished 10th in 1:54.74 in his outdoor collegiate debut. Senior Andrew Harris finished 11th in 1:55.19. Freshman Noah Karr finished 15th in 1:56.77
400 Meters – Sophomore Matthew Likely finished 14th in the 400 meters in a personal-best 50.52.
100 Meters – Junior Terry Jernigan (10.47) and freshman Will Allen (10.71) finished third and eighth, respectively in the 100 meters. The times are both personal bests.
1,500 Meters – Sophomore Clay Austell finished eighth in the 1,500 meters in a personal-best 3:57.23. Freshman Patrick Grant finished 10th in 4:00.18 in his first collegiate 1,500 meter race.
200 Meters – Senior Steven Gayle won the 200 meters in a personal-best 20.48, the 10th-fastest time in school history. Junior Terry Jernigan was fifth in a personal-best 21.17. Sophomore Skyler Bowden finished eighth in 21.68.
Hammer Throw – Freshman Jacob Beene finished second in the hammer throw with a personal-best mark of 193-5 (58.96m)
Alabama Series
Beene – Foul; 193-5 (58.96m); Foul; Foul; 190-3 (57.98m); 191-1 (58.25m)
Pole Vault – Sophomore Will Herrscher won the pole vault with a personal-best mark of 17-1 3/4 (5.23m), the second-best clearance in school history. Freshman Henry Barrett finished fourth at 15-0 1/4 (4.58m).
Alabama Series
Herrscher – 4.28m (Pass); 4.43 (Pass); 4.58m (Pass): 4.73m (Pass); 4.88m (Pass): 5.03m (Pass); 5.13m (Pass); 5.23m (xo); 5.33m (Pass); 5.39m (xxx)Â
Barrett – 4.28m (xxo); 4.43 (o); 4.58m (xo): 4.73m (xxx)
Shot Put – Sophomore Kord Ferguson (59-2 1/4; 18.04m) and seniors Hayden Reed (56-11 1/4; 17.35m) and Nathan Karr (54-10; 16.71m) finished 2-3-5 in the shot put.
Alabama Series
Ferguson – Foul; Foul; 57-5 3/4 (17.52m); Foul; Foul; 59-2 1/4 (18.04m)
Reed – 54-2 (16.51m); 56-1 1/4 (17.10m); Foul; Foul; 56-11 1/4 (17.35m); Foul
Nathan Karr – 54-8 (16.66m); 53-2 3/4 (16.22m); 54-10 (16.71m); Foul; Foul; Foul
High Jump – In his collegiate outdoor debut, freshman James Williams finished seventh in the high jump with a clearance of 6-2 1/4 (1.89m).
Alabama Series
James Williams – 1.79m (Pass); 1.84m (Pass); 1.89m (o); 1.99m (xxx)Â
Discus – Senior Joe Williams finished third in the discus with a mark of 179-3 (54.65m) while sophomore Kord Ferguson finished fifth with a throw of 178-3 (54.35). Senior Hayden Reed competed but did not record a clean throw.
Alabama Series
Joe Williams – 167-9 (51.13m); 173-1 (52.77m); 177-2 (54.01m); 172-11 (52.70m); 179-3 (54.65m); 176-5 (53.77m)
Ferguson – 177-6 (54.11m); 176-9 (53.89m); 178-3 (54.35m); Foul; Foul; Foul
Reed – Foul; Foul; Foul
Triple Jump – Michael Wiggins finished seventh in the triple jump with a mark of 46-8 1/4 (14.23m) in the first outdoor triple jump competition of his career.
Alabama Series
Wiggins – 44-3 1/2 (13.50m); 45-3 3/4 (13.81m); 46-2 3/4 (14.09m); 45-8 1/2 (13.93m); 46-8 1/4 (14.23m); 46-6 (14.17m)
Javelin – Sophomore Will Edwards finished eighth in the javelin with a season-best throw of 192-7 (58.70m).
Alabama Series
Edwards – 191-2 (58.27m); Foul; 191-6 (58.37m); 192-7 (58.70m); 190-3 (58.00m); Foul
Women's Event Summaries – Florida State Relays
Finals
2,000-Meter Steeplechase – Senior Jessica Gray (7:07.53), freshman Caroline Brooks (7:21.98), sophomore Calli Coggins (7:26.87) and freshman Haley Wright (7:36.08) finished 1-2-3-4 in the 2,000-meter steeplechase. The times for Gray, Brooks and Wright are personal bests and the race was the outdoor collegiate debut for Brooks and Wright.
100-Meter Hurdles – Sophomore Stacey Destin (14.33) and senior Passion Gamble (14.79) finished sixth and eighth, respectively in the 100-meter hurdles. Destin's time is a personal best.
800 Meters – Sophomore Sarah Mohan finished seventh in the 800 meters in 2:14.50
4x100 Meter Relay – The Alabama "B" relay of juniors Olivia & Filippa Fotopoulou, senior Brianna Sims and freshman Amanda Crawford finished fourth in the 4x100-meter relay in 45.78. The Tide "A" relay of sophomore Janel Pate, senior Diamond Gause, freshman Symone Darius and senior Alex Gholston did not finish.
400 Meters – Running in her first collegiate outdoor 400 meter race, freshman Amanda Crawford finished seventh in 56.57.
100 Meters – Alabama swept the top four spots in the 100 meters as senior Diamond Gause (11.64), sophomore Janel Pate (11.75) and juniors Olivia Fotopoulou (11.86) and Filippa Fotopoulou (11.87) finished 1-2-3-4. Senior Brianna Sims was eighth in 11.96. The times for Sims and Filippa Fotopoulou are personal bests.
1,500 Meters – Sophomore Nicole Gardner (4:30.22), freshman Rebecca Buteau (4:33.10) and senior Hannah Waggoner (4:37.70) finished fourth, seventh and ninth in the 1,500 meters. The times are personal bests for Gardner and Buteau. Freshman Gabby Prizio finished 13th (4:44.67) and sophomore Ebie Douglas finished 25th in 5:01.63.
200 Meters – Seniors Alex Gholston (23.80) and Domonique Williams (23.85) and freshman Symone Darius (24.14) finished 2-3-4, respectively, in the 200 meters. Senior Brianna Sims finished eighth in 24.44 and freshman Hope Mazi finished 13th in 26.80. The times are personal bests for all five.
400-Meter Hurdles – Junior Kaitlin Walker finished fifth in the 400-meter hurdles in 1:02.41. Sophomore Jada Jackson finished ninth in 1:09.56.
5,000 Meters – Freshman Elisabeth Danis finished fourth in the 5,000 meters in her collegiate outdoor debut in a time of 17:35.36. Junior Alison Ringle finished eighth in 17:59.31. Sophomore Kaitlin York finished 11th in 18:11.30. Sophomore Brianna Koshy (18:33.71) and freshman Caroline Cumbest (18:38.78) finished 17th and 19th, respectively. The times for Danis, Koshy and Cumbest are personal bests.
Hammer Throw – Junior Danielle McConnell finished second in the hammer throw with a personal-best mark of 200-11 (61.24m). The effort is the third-best in school history and McConnell's first time over 200 feet in the event.
Alabama Series
McConnell – 185-5 (56.53m); 185-2 (56.44m); 200-11 (61.24m); 199-3 (60.73m); 179-1 (54.60m); 195-1 (59.46m);
Pole Vault – Senior Lakan Taylor and freshman Avery Stuchell competed but neither recorded a clean vault.
Alabama Series
Taylor – 3.38m (Pass); 3.53m (Pass); 3.68m (Pass); 3.83m (Pass): 3.98m (Pass): 4.13m (xxx)
Stuchell – 3.38m (Pass); 3.53m (xxx)
Long Jump – Sophomore Kiara Williams finished third in the long jump with a mark of 18-11 1/4 (5.77m).
Alabama Series
Kiara Williams – 18-1 1/2 (5.52m); 18-11 1/4 (5.77m); 17-10 1/4 (5.44m); 15-7 1/2 (4.76m); 17-3 1/2 (5.27m); Foul
High Jump – Freshman Esme Phillips finished 13th in the women's high jump with a clearance of 5-2 1/4 (1.58m).
Alabama Series
Phillips – 1.53m (xo); 1.58m (xo); 1.63m (xxx)Â
Discus – Freshman Hannah Chappell finished seventh in her first collegiate discus competition with a mark of 144-7 (44.06). Sophomore Holly Julifs competed but did not record a legal throw.
Alabama Series
Chappell – 141-4 (43.09m); 140-6 (42.83m); 142-11 (43.57m); 144-7 (44.06m); 139-7 (42.54m); Foul
Julifs – Foul; Foul; Foul
Javelin – Freshman Samantha Zelden continued her strong start to the 2017 season as she finished second in the javelin with a throw of 169-1 (51.55m), the third-best throw in school history. Four of Zelden's six attempts on Friday now rank among the top six in UA history and the Folsom, La. native now holds six of the top 10 javelin marks at Alabama after her first two meets with the Crimson Tide.
Alabama Series
Zelden – 160-8 (48.98m); 169-1 (51.55m); 163-0 (49.68m); 154-10 (47.20m); 161-0 (49.09m); 147-4 (44.91m)
Florida State Relays
Friday, March 24, 2017
Alabama Results
Men
Team Results
1. Florida State- 177.5
2. Liberty- 119.5
3. Auburn- 100.5
4. ALABAMA- 97.5
5. Southern Miss-86
6. Georgia Tech- 73
Finals
100 Meters – 3. Terry Jernigan, 10.47 (PB); 8. Will Allen, 10.71 (PB)
200 Meters – 1. Steven Gayle, 20.48 (PB); 5. Terry Jernigan, 21.17 (PB); 8. Skyler Bowden, 21.68
400 Meters – 14. Matthew Likely, 50.52 (PB) Â
800 Meters – 3. Payton Ballard, 1:52.14; 10. Oliver Rigg, 1:54.74 (PB); 11. Andrew Harris, 1:55.19; 14. Noah Karr, 1:56.77
1,500 Meters – 8. Clay Austell, 3:57.23 (PB); 10. Patrick Grant, 4:00.18 (PB)
110-Meter Hurdles –1. Angelo Goss, 14.03
2,000-Meter Steeplechase – 2. Josh Short, 5:58.13; 3. J.P. Brinyark, 6:11.18 (PB)
High Jump – 7t. James Williams, 6-2 1/4 (1.89m) (PB)
Triple Jump – 7. Michael Wiggins, 46-8 1/4 (14.23m) (PB)
Pole Vault – 1. Will Herrscher, 17-1 3/4 (5.23m) (PB); 4. Henry Barrett, 15-0 1/4 (4.58m) (PB)
Shot Put – 2. Kord Ferguson, 59-2 1/4 (18.04m); 3. Hayden Reed, 56-11 1/4 (17.35m); 5. Nathan Karr, 54-10 (16.71m)
Discus –3. Joe Williams, 179-3 (54.65m); 5. Kord Ferguson, 178-3 (54.35m); NM. Hayden Reed
Hammer Throw – 2. Jacob Beene, 193-5 (58.96m) (PB)
Javelin – 8. Will Edwards, 192-7 (58.70m) (SB)
Women
Team Results
1. Florida State- 146.25
2. Auburn- 134
3. Liberty- 107.25
4. Southern Miss- 101.5
5. ALABAMA- 95
6. Georgia Tech- 72
Finals
100 Meters – 1. Diamond Gause, 11.64; 2. Janel Pate, 11.75; 3. Olivia Fotopoulou, 11.86; 4. Filippa Fotopoulou, 11.87 (PB); 8. Brianna Sims, 11.96 (PB)
200 Meters – 2. Alex Gholston, 23.80 (PB); 3. Domonique Williams, 23.85 (PB); 4. Symone Darius, 24.14 (PB); 6. Brianna Sims, 24.44 (PB); 13. Hope Mazi, 26.80 (PB)
400 Meters – 7. Amanda Crawford, 56.57 (PB)Â
800 Meters – 7. Sarah Mohan, 2:14.50
1,500 Meters – 4. Nicole Gardner, 4:30.22 (PB); 7. Rebecca Buteau, 4:33.10 (PB); 9. Hannah Waggoner, 4:37.70; 13. Gabby Prizio, 4:44.67 (PB); 25. Ebie Douglas, 5:01.63
5,000 Meters – 4. Elisabeth Danis, 17:35.36 (PB); 8. Alison Ringle, 17:59.21; 11. Kaitlin York, 18:11.30; 17. Briana Koshy, 18:33.71 (PB); 19. Caroline Cumbest, 18:38.78 (PB)
100-Meter Hurdles – 6. Stacey Destin, 14.33; 8. Passion Gamble, 14.79
400-Meter Hurdles – 5. Kaitlin Walker, 1:02.41; 9. Jada Jackson, 1:09.56
2,000-Meter Steeplechase – 1. Jessica Gray, 7:07.53 (PB); 2. Caroline Brooks, 7:21.98 (PB); 3. Calli Coggins, 7:26.87; 4. Haley Wright, 7:36.08 (PB)
4x100 Meter Relay – 4. Alabama "B" (Olivia Fotopoulou, Filippa Fotopoulou, Brianna Sims, Amanda Crawford), 45.78; DNF. Alabama "A" (Janel Pate, Diamond Gause, Symone Darius, Alex Gholston)
High Jump – 13. Esme Phillips, 5-2 1/4 (1.58m)
Long Jump – 3. Kiara Williams, 18-11 1/4 (5.77m)
Pole Vault – NH. Lakan Taylor; NH. Avery Stuchell
Discus – 7. Hannah Chappell, 144-7 (44.06m) (PB); NM. Holly Julifs
Hammer Throw – 2. Danielle McConnell, 200-11 (61.24m) (PB)
Javelin – 2. Samantha Zelden, 169-1 (51.55m) (PB)
Alabama Superlatives
School Top-10 Performances
Men
Pole Vault- 2. Will Herrscher, 17-1 3/4 (5.23m)
200 Meters – 10. Steven Gayle, 20.48
Women
Hammer Throw- 3. Danielle McConnell, 200-11 (61.24m)
Hammer Throw- 5. Danielle McConnell, 199-3 (60.73m)
Javelin- 3. Samantha Zelden, 169-1 (51.55m)
Javelin- 4. Samantha Zelden, 163-0 (49.68m)
Javelin- 5. Samantha Zelden, 161-0 (49.09m)
Javelin- 6. Samantha Zelden, 160-8 (48.98m)
Personal Bests
Men
Hammer Throw- Jacob Beene, 193-5 (58.96m)
Pole Vault- Will Herrscher, 17-1 3/4 (5.23m)
High Jump- James Williams, 6-2 1/4 (1.89m)
2,000-Meter Steeplechase- J.P. Brinyark, 6:11.18
Triple Jump- Michael Wiggins, 46-8 1/4 (14.23m)
400 Meters- Matthew Likely, 50.52
100 Meters- Terry Jernigan, 10.47
100 Meters- Will Allen, 10.71
1,500 Meters- Clay Austell, 3:57.23
1,500 Meters- Patrick Grant, 4:00.18
200 Meters- Steven Gayle, 20.48
200 Meters- Terry Jernigan, 21.17
Women
Hammer Throw- Danielle McConnell, 200-11 (61.24m)
2,000-Meter Steeplechase- Jessica Gray, 7:07.53
2,000-Meter Steeplechase- Caroline Brooks, 7:21.98
2,000-Meter Steeplechase- Haley Wright, 7:36.08
100-Meter Hurdles- Stacey Destin, 14.33
Discus- Hannah Chappell, 144-7 (44.06m)
400 Meters – 7. Amanda Crawford, 56.57
100 Meters- Filippa Fotopoulou, 11.87
100 Meters- Brianna Sims, 11.96
1,500 Meters- Nicole Gardner, 4:30.22
1,500 Meters- Rebecca Buteau, 4:33.10
1,500 Meters- Gabby Prizio, 4:44.67
200 Meters- Alex Gholston, 23.80
200 Meters- Domonique Williams, 23.85
200 Meters- Symone Darius, 24.14
200 Meters- Brianna Sims, 24.44
200 Meters- Hope Mazi, 26.80
Javelin- Samantha Zelden, 169-1 (51.55m)
5,000 Meters- Elisabeth Danis, 17:35.36
5,000 Meters- Brianna Koshy, 18:33.71
5,000 Meters- Caroline Cumbest, 18:38.78
Season Bests
Men
Javelin – Will Edwards, 192-7 (58.70m)
PB- Personal best
SB- Season best
SR- School record
NB- National best
NM- No mark
NH- No height
DNF- Did not finish
DNS- Did not start
Q- Qualified for final with heat win
q- Qualified for final on time
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Players Mentioned
