Lolo Jones tied the meet record of 12.90 in the 100 meter hurdles (Texas sports photo)

Texas Relays :: Photos

The Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays saw more hot action on the final day of events as the LSU women got things started in the 4x100 and 4x200 meter relays.

The quartet of Stephanie Durst, Monique Hall, Lolo Jones and Muna Lee broke the low-altitude collegiate record by clocking 42.63 in the 4x100 relay. Earlier in the day, Lolo Jones ran 12.90 (+2.0w) to win the 100 meter hurdles which also tied the meet record in the event. Nichole Denby of Texas finished second in 13.09.

If setting records wasn't enough for LSU, they clearly weren't done. The lady Tigers' team of Nadia Davy, Monique Hall, Stephanie Durst and Muna Lee then set another collegiate record in the 4x200 meter relay by running 1:30.07. Although the event is not contested at the national championships, Texas also ran fast while coming in second with their 1:30.67 clocking. Raasin McIntosh of Texas made her mark in the 400 hurdles while winning in a fast 54.60.

Muna Lee wasn't finished either as she cracked 11 seconds in the 100 meter University final. With a tailwind reading of +3.1, Lee ran 10.97 to take the event. Monique Tubbs of Jacksonville was second with her time of 11.13.

The Texas men had the fastest time of the day in the 4x100 meter relay as the Longhorns clocked 39.08 in the Invitational heat. Senior Tre Gardner popped off and then let the rest of the running go to three freshmen, as Aaron Collins, Ashton Collins and then Brendan Christian brought home the stick clean.

The Texas women now hold the school, meet and stadium record with a time of 3:26.96 in the 4x400 meter relay. "I thought if I past her on the back stretch I would have enough of a lead for Sanya (Richards) to win," said Raasin McIntosh. "We were missing a big leg (Moushaumi Robinson) so we had to be ready for anything."

Raasin McIntosh won the 400 hurdles in a fast 54.60 (Texas sports photo)

Pierre Browne of Mississippi State impressed many in the 100 meter Invitational while taking second behind former TCU standout Kim Collins who ran 9.92. Although the wind reading was +2.8, Browne managed to run 10.09 while Tre Gardner of Texas was next in 10.27. In the University section, Marquis Davis of Mississippi State ran 10.10 to win behind a strong tailwind as the reading was +3.0.

Tiffany McWilliams of Mississippi State won the 1500 meter Invitational as she came through the line in 4:19.47. Corine van Beek of UTEP was second in 4:20.76. On the men's side, Said Ahmed of Arkansas won the 1500 meters with his time of 3:46.00.

Antwon Hicks of Mississippi put his name in the mix as one of the heavy favorites for the 110 meter hurdle title as he ran 13.46 (+2.3w) to win the event. The men's high jump saw Nebraska senior Shaun Kologinczak take the event with his 7-3 clearance.

Bobby Most of Texas Tech held of defending indoor champion Brad Walker of Washington on less misses in the pole vault as they both cleared 18-00.50. "This is one of the meets I’ve been looking forward to all year," said Most. "I had a lot of family and hometown support, so there was some pressure to succeed. It was my first meet of the outdoor season because I was coming off a groin injury from indoor nationals. We had perfect conditions today and the best competition in the nation was here."

Action kicked off in the multi-events on Wednesday as Maurice Smith of Auburn and Santiago Lorenzo of Oregon both met the NCAA automatic standard in the decathlon. Smith, the NJCAA record holder in the decathlon before enrolling into Auburn, scored 7925 points to edge Lorenzo who tallied up 7911. It was a windy two-day afternoon which saw readings up to +5.0 in the 100 meter dash.

“I came into the meet with the attitude that I wanted to qualify for nationals," Smith said. "My coach told me to just go in relaxed and try not to push myself too hard this early in the season. The events just started coming to me and I PR’ed in several events because I was so relaxed.” Tamara McGill of Pittsburgh took home the heptathlon with her score of 5291.

It was domination in the men's hammer throw by two SMU freshmen as Jerome Bortoluzzi and Sasha Lutsenko took the top two spots. Bortoluzzi's toss of 218-08 was almost a foot further than Lutsenko's at 217-11. “66.66 meters is my personal best so it is a good start for the season," Bortoluzzi said. "I wanted to have more fire today but I had good technique and got off to a good start." Adam Judge of Indiana took third with his mark of 217-05.

The women's hammer throw saw Laura Gerraughty of North Carolina throw a personal best of 204-02. "I’m very pleased because I had a personal best today," said Gerraughty. "I was really tired because I am in a heavy training cycle. After I fouled the first throw, I didn’t think I could do another throw because I was so tired. The weather was perfect and it couldn’t get any better."

Westly Keating of UTPA won the men's 5000 meters (Alex Moore)

Becky Breisch of Nebraska had a big mark in the discus with her throw of 192-07. "I got off to a slow start, but I went back to my form and trusted what I’ve been practicing over the years," said Breisch. "It was unbelievable to tie the meet record. I didn’t expect it in the second meet of the year and I am very excited about it."

Defending high jump indoor champion Nevena Lendel of SMU opened her outdoor season with a clearance of 6-0. "It feels great to come to an event like the Texas Relays and win the high jump," said Lendel. "I knew on my last jump that if I cleared it, I would win. I was a little nervous, but I just missed on the jump before and knew I could make it."

Another defending champion, Brain Johnson of Southern, won the long jump with his leap of 26-05.00. However, Johnson, who also qualified for the 100 meter final, injured his ankle on his third attempt.

"On Brian’s third attempt his foot hit the board and he slid and twisted his ankle," said coach Johnny Thomas. "We are unsure at this point what the extent of his injury is because there is a lot of swelling and puffiness, but we are going to take him to the hospital and get his ankle X-rayed."

The collegiate record holder in the discus, Gabor Mate of Auburn, opened up his season with a win whilethrowing 198-06. "I am happy I won but not satisfied," said Mate.

"I am never happy with anything but winning, but today, I was throwing bad, just terrible. I didn’t have a chance to practice much before this meet because of injuries. I am stronger than ever, but I wasn’t able to translate it into the implement." Mate also held off SMU teammates Hannes Hopley (198-02) and Michael Robertson (195-11) who performed well.

Bill Neumann of Iowa claimed the javelin title as the Hawkeye threw 235-01 to win. Thanks to Texassports.com for all winners' quotes.

SEC Quad

South Carolina was host to an SEC Quad for men and women. Tennessee scored the most points on the men's side with 155, followed by South Carolina (154) and Florida (81). Highlight's included Gary Kikaya of Tennessee taking both the 200 (20.73) and 400 (45.94) meter titles. Otukile Lekote of South Carolina won the 800 meters with his clocking of 1:47.54. Teammate Ken Ferguson won both the 110 meter hurdles (13.82) and 400 meter hurdles (50.63). Another Gamecock, Tony Allmond, came away with the long jump as he leaped 25-06.

Florida scored the most points on the women's side with 228, followed by South Carolina (218.50), Tennessee (102) and Vanderbilt (83.50). Highlight's included Aleen Bailey of South Carolina taking the 100 (11.42) and 200 (23.23) meter titles. Teammate Lashinda Demus won the 400 meter hurdles with her time of 56.33 and the 100 meter hurdles in 13.35. Antoinette Wiks of South Carolina won the long jump with her leap of 21-03.50. Jukina Dickerson of Florida claimed the hammer with her toss of 204-04.

Yellow Jacket Invitational

Georgia Tech played host to the Yellow Jacket Invitational which saw plenty of impressive marks. Highlight's included Chaunte Howard of Georgia Tech winning the high jump by clearing 6-02.00. Kim Jones of Florida State won the 100 meter hurdles with her time of 13.23. Her teammate, Laura Gerber, continued her success in the 800 meters as she ran 2:04.40 to take the victory.

Men's highlight's saw Maarten van den Heuvel of Florida State take the 1500 meters while running 3:45.85. Michael Altieri of Wake Forest was second in 3:45.92. The 400 meters went to hometown favorite Bryan Swarn of Georgia Tech who finished in 46.69. Nick Stanko of Michigan won the 5000 meters with his time of 14:32.73

Ohio State Relays

For the second-straight week OSU thrower Dan Taylor established an Ohio State record with a 205-7 in the hammer to best his 204-10 effort last week at the Arizona State Invitational. Taylor coupled that performance with another OSU record mark in the discus with a 187-4, besting his 182-0 standard set last season.