Saturday, February 4

The Armory in New York City hosted the final day of the New Balance Collegiate Invitational on Saturday which featured many top teams and athletes competing. The LSU men and North Carolina women captured the team titles.

Tim Bayley of Iona College fed off teammate Richard Kiplagat who was the rabbit in the race to win in 4:00.56. Bayley went toe-to-toe with Bobby Curtis of Villanova (4:02.34) and Dylan Wykes of Texas (4:02.96) who finished second and third.

Andra Manson of Texas claimed the high jump title with his clearance of 7-02.50. Manson, after winning the competition, then set the bar to 7-08 to try and break the meet record but did not make any of his three attempts although they were close.

One of the highlights of the meet was the men's 400 meter final which saw LSU sophomore Xavier Carter clock 46.40 for the win. Carter's time of 46.40 was the fastest by a U.S. athlete this indoor season on a 200 meter track.

Carter then came back to help lead the Tigers to the 4x400 meter relay victory in 3:07.41 thanks to his split of 46.2. Illinois also ran a strong race with their second place time of 3:07.85.

The women's 400 meter final went to Penn State's Shana Cox who went through the line in 52.98.

South Carolina fed off the strenght of Shalonda Soloman as she claimed the 200 meters in 23.19. Solomon did not run on the 4x400 meter relay where the Gamecocks finished second to LSU, 3:34.15 to 3:38.66.

Rubin Williams of Tennessee dipped under 21 seconds in the 200 meter final with a winning time of 20.93. Kelly Willie of LSU finished second with his time of 21.04.

Over in the men's weight throw, North Carolina's Nick Owens set a meet record with his toss of 69-05.50. Jennifer Leatherman of Penn State also set a meet record in the women's weight throw with her mark of 69-06.

Hampton University's Yvette Lewis leaped out to 43-07 to win the women's triple jump. North Carolina's Sheena Gordon was second at 43-01.

Friday, February 3

The New Balance Collegiate Invitational at The Armory in New York City kicked off on Friday afternoon in dramatic fashion.

North Carolina senior Laura Gerraughty went over the 60-foot barrier in the women's shot put with her heave of 60-07.25 (18.47m) to easily take the title. Gerraughty, who was a 2004 U.S. Olympian in the event, also owns the all-time collegiate indoor mark of 62-10 (19.15m).

The sprinting events are perhaps the center stage of the meet considering the overall depth and quality of the athletes competing.

Baylor freshman Jacob Norman clocked the fastest time of the day in the men's 60 meter prelims at 6.64 seconds. Norman currently holds the top time in the country at 6.65.

Other top times in the prelims included Tyrone Edgar of Texas A&M (6.70), Kelly Willie of LSU (6.70) and the Texas squad of Trey Griffin (6.71), Quincy Boles (6.72) and Ron Hill (6.72).

Alabama's Tahesia Harrigan blew away the competition in the women's 60 meter prelims with her amazing time of 7.19 seconds. That is the fastest time during the collegiate regular season (not including NCAA Championships) since Muna Lee of LSU recorded 7.17 in 2004.

There was no suspense in the men's 60 meter hurdles as the top time went to Aries Merritt of Tennessee at 7.62 seconds. The next fastest time was clocked by Trey Hardee of Texas at 7.81 who set the NCAA record in the heptathlon last weekend in New Mexico.

Over in the women's 60 meter hurdle prelims, Alabama's Beau Walker crossed the line in 8.16 seconds to hold the fastest time of the day.

The men's shot put title went to Tyler Custis of Texas A&M with his throw of 61-05.50 (18.73m).

After his 60 meter prelim time of 6.72 seconds, Texas' Ron Hill went on to capture the men's long jump with his mark of 25-03.50 (7.71m).

Shameka Marshall of Rutgers leaped over 21 feet to win the women's long jump title at 21-03.50 (6.49m).