Tech Running at Tyson Invitational Against Nation's Elite

Tech Running at Tyson Invitational Against Nation's Elite

February 14, 2008 | Track and Field

Feb. 14, 2008

LUBBOCK, Texas - Texas Tech will be traveling to Fayetteville, Ark., to compete in the prestigious Tyson Invitational starting Friday. Some of the nation's elite programs will be competing including Florida, LSU, Tennessee and Baylor among others. Tech will face its toughest competition of the season during the meet.

The women will have five-time NCAA Champion Sally Kipyego will run the 5000M on Sat. for the first time this season. Kelley Schulz who is third ranked pole vaulter in the Big 12 will be competing as well. The duo of Patience Knight and D'Andra Carter will be looking to improve on their 13th and 14th national rank in the shot put.

The men will run the 4X400M relay team on Friday night against Baylor, Georgia, Kentucky and LSU in what is potentially national championship preview. Shawon Harris, Omo Osaghae and Jansen Hyde will look to continue Tech's dominance in the hurdles. Anthony Flemons is also competing in the long jump and triple jump.

Competition starts at 8 p.m. on Fri. night with the men's 5000M and resumes Sat. at 10 a.m. with field events. For live results of the Tyson Invitational, please log on to www.tysoninvitational.org and www.flashresults.com. ESPN will be showing the Tyson Invitational on Feb. 17, 2008 at 5:00 p.m. Final results and a recap of the meet can be found at www.texastech.com.

Stacked Field The Tyson Invitational will be competing against some of the best teams in the nation. The men will have 14 of the top 25 USTFCCA ranked teams. The Red Raiders are currently 16th after a season high rank of 5th. The women will have 17 of the top 25 USTFCCA ranked teams including four of the top five teams.

Who is Doing What? The following is a list of competitor and their events at the Tyson Invitational. Women: Janell Appelhans (long jump), Chep Boit (Mile), Jonisha Boleware (60M, 200M), D'Andra Carter (shot put), Asia Diaz (800M), Jessie Gibbs (pole vault), Michelle Guzman (5000M), Sandra Iwunze (60M Hurdles), Shannon Jackson (800M), Julianne Kennedy (60M hurdles, long jump, high jump), Gladys Kipsang (Mile, 3000M), Sally Kipyego (5000M), Patience Knight (shot put), Kelsey Lloyd (high jump), Ozie Okolie (weight throw), Kelley Schulz (pole vault) Tori Smith (60M, 60M hurdles). Men: Lamont Adams (400M), Harrison Benjamin (shot put), Bobby Ever (long jump), Anthony Flemons (long jump, triple jump), Shawon Harris (60M hurdles), Cory Higgins (Mile, 3000M), Jansen Hyde (60M, 60M hurdles), Silas Kemboi (Mile), Bill Lawhorn (400M), Lyle Leong (high jump, long jump), Gilbert Limo (Mile), Tyler Menges (shot put), Rodney Mims (400M), Brian Porter (pole vault), Waylon Randolph (long jump), Gil Roberts (200M), Edwin Sang (Mile), Justin Turner (high jump), Julius Walker (60M), Kelly Wilson (pole vault).

Throwing New Records The women's throws set new marks during last weekend's Tech Invitational. Ozie Okolie threw 63"-11.50" a new school and personal record. The previous weight throw record was 58'-3.85" held by Olivia Clardy since 2003. Patience Knight also set a school record and personal best in the shot put with a distance of 52'-8". The previous shot put record was 51'-3.5" held by Tabitha Polk in 1994.

Provisional Adding Up The Red Raiders have piled up the NCAA provisional marks this season. Thirteen provisional marks have been recorded in the last four weeks. Shawon Harris has three in the 55M hurdles, Anthony Flemmons has two in the long jump and Lyle Leong has two in the high jump. Brian Porter's provisional mark is the seventh best in the nation. Kipyego also has a provisional mark in the mile. Patience Knight and D'Andra Carter both have marks in the shot put and Kelley Schulz earned her mark in the pole vault. Julianne Kennedy's mark in the pentathlon is currently the ninth best in the nation.