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Adriane Blewitt once again took home the shot put title |
The Abilene Christian men and St. Augustine's women won the team
titles at the 2003 NCAA Division II Indoor Track & Field Championships
at the Reggie Lewis Center in Boston, Massachusetts. The first day
of action belonged to Ashland's All-American Adriane
Blewitt in the shot put. The senior went out on top again with
her winning mark of 57-07.75. Another senior, Kortney Ihnen, from
Minnesota-Mankato performed well with her heave of 52-02.50 to take
second.
Blewitt's mark of 58-09.50 earlier this season ranks her as the
second collegian behind Laura Gerraughty of North Carolina. "Training
was going real well heading into today and I looked forward to throwing
big again," said Blewitt after her victory. "I felt strong
and fast today as well and it was just a good day to throw well."
In the women's weight throw, Blewitt wasn't done with her national
championship title runs as she won the even with her personal best
throw of 66-10. "I had a real good day and with my personal
best mark I couldn't ask for anything more," Blewitt said.
Her teammate, Jackie Jeschelnig, came in second with her throw of
65-06.25 which propelled Ashland to 18 points in the event alone.
Now with her final indoor shot put performance at the collegiate
ranks is under her belt, Blewitt looks forward to the outdoor season
and beyond. "I'll be attending the Olympic Summit next weekend
in San Diego and then I'll be opening up in Gainesville at the Florida
Relays," said Blewitt.
In other finals action from Friday, Cadriesha Akinfe of St. Augustine's
College claimed the long jump with her leap of 19-08.25. Kevin Bartlett
of Lincoln successfully defended his title in the long jump as he
leaped out to a 25-03.50 mark.
The Western State men took home the top six spots in the 5k |
Moorhead State was led by Chris Nulle who took home the weight
throw title as he threw 63-06.75. Ivan Varbanov of Central Missouri
won the high jump with his clearance of 7-00.25.
Saturday's action saw Maresa Cadienhead of St. Augustine's score
a big 10 points with her victory in the high jump. The multiple
All-American cleared 6-feet even for the victory.
"I'm out there competing against other people, but the reality
is I'm competing against myself," Cadienhead said after her
winning jump. "I was hoping to break the indoor record again
today, but that didn't work out. I simply had a goal I wanted to
meet, but unfortunately that didn't happen."
Cadienhead's teammate, Libia Rodriquez, also scored big with her
10 points in the title of the 400 meters. Her time of 53.83 was
enough to edge the rest of the field in her heat after a stumble
heading into the second turn in which an athlete fell.
NW Missouri was led by Jenny Simmons as she cleared 11-11.75 for
the women's pole vault title. Six other athletes also cleared the
same height as the edge went to Simmons since she had fewer misses.
"I don't think it has even hit me yet that I came out on top,"
the surprised Simmons said after her victory. "We open the
outdoor season next week at the Alabama Relays, so I'm looking forward
to opening my season up on a bigger pole and hopefully I will be
able to clear 12 feet on a consistent basis."
The short sprint title was once again dominated by Jason Smoots
of NC Central with his time of 6.55. It was a tight finish as Nic
Alexander of Abilene Christian came in a close second with his time
of 6.57.
Domination is one word thrown around way too often in the Western
State distance program. In the men's 5000 meters, the top six places
were from the athletes of Western State. Scott Nagelkerke edged
Josh Eberly for the title with their times of 14:06.22 and 14:06.25.
Cal State Bakersfield took home the top two spots in the men's
shot put as Tony Thompson threw 60-01.75 for the victory. Chris
Figures was second with his mark of 57-03.75.
The St. Augustine's women wrapped up the meet and team title with
their victory in the 4x400 meter relay while clocking 3:40.37 which
was five seconds faster than the next team.