CLEMSON, S.C. - In their first meet back after the New Year,
the North Carolina A&T men's and women's track and field teams came away
with a first-place finish and a personal best at the 2012 Tiger Classic hosted
by Clemson University on Friday. In addition, junior sprinter Roshel Bygraves
continued her hot start. The A&T women had eight top-5 finishes, while the
men collected six.
Sophomore jumper Kendrick Smith won the men's triple jump
with a 48-foot, 6-inch jump. He also placed fourth in the long jump with a leap
of 22-feet, 7-inches. It was Smith's first indoor win of his career. Sophomore Demetrius
Green also had an excellent start for 2013. His throw of 46-feet, 2-inches
earned him a third-place finish in the men's shot put.
The Aggies also had good showings in the distance and
mid-distance races. Sophomore Christian Harrison placed fourth in the mile as
he completed the four laps in 4:30.46. Parris Simmons, who missed the cross
country season with injury, looked strong in the men's 800 meters as he placed
fourth in 1:56.56. Sprinter Darryl Williams also had a top-5 finish as he came
in fifth in the men's 60 meters with a time of 6.87.
On the women's side, Greensboro native and senior Jessica
Farr put together a personal best in the 200 meters. Her time of 25.09 earned
her a fourth place finish. Meanwhile, teammate Roshel Bygraves posted the third
best time in the MEAC this indoor season in the 400 meter dash as her time of
56.61 was good enough for third. Bygraves also competed in the 200 and she was
one-fourth of the Aggies 4x40 meter relay team that finished in 3:53.67 for
third place.
Freshman Nakita Gray placed second in the women's high jump
as her best effort yielded a mark of 5-feet, 4 ½ - inches. Fellow freshman Tiffany
Ellick had a nice showing in the jumps. She placed fourth in the triple jump (37-feet,
7 ¼ inches) and fifth in the long jump (17-feet, 6-inches). Juanita Weaver had
a third-place finish in the shot put. Her best throw was 40-feet, 11-inches.
"We consider every meet to be important," said Duane Ross,
the A&T director of track and field programs. "This meet allowed our
student-athletes to get back into their rhythm ahead of Virginia Tech next
weekend. It's was a low key but competitive competition that gave our young
athletes a chance to work on things in a competition setting, and allowed our
veterans a chance to get an early start to the season."
The Aggies will
compete in the Virginia Tech Invitational Jan. 18-19 in Blacksburg, Va.
