Stewart Sparkles On Day One Of Masked Rider Open
January 29, 2015 | Track and Field
Shanice Stewart broke school and facility records with her performance in the women's pentathlon on day one of the Masked Rider Open, on Thursday.
Jan. 29, 2015
LUBBOCK, Texas -- Texas Tech's Shanice Stewart set school and facility records on her way to winning the women's pentathlon on day one of the Masked Rider Open, in Lubbock, Texas, on Thursday.
Stewart's total of 4,152 not only gave her the win for the second-straight year at the Masked Rider Open, but was also a school and facility record.
Her score ranks No. 1 in the Big 12 and fourth nationally.
The junior from Rilato, Calif., started the evening by winning the 60 meter hurdles portion of the event, with a quick 8.33. She went on to finish second in the high jump portion, clearing a personal-best 1.71m/5-7.25.
She put up another personal best to win the shot put--a launch of 13.56m/44-06.00 to pick up 765 valuable points. In the long jump, an event in which she was an indoor All-American in 2014, Stewart won with a personal best-equaling leap of 6.30m/20-8.0, picking up 943 more points. That long jump mark ranks ninth in the nation.
In the final event of the night, the 800 meters, Stewart placed 12th, with a time of 2:44.57.
"Shanice Stewart gave an inspiring performance," Texas Tech assistant coach James Thomas said. "She continually raises her level of performance. More importantly, she intentionally raises her own personal expectations."
Natalie Thompson finished second overall, compiling 3,765 points, the No. 15 mark in the nation. She equaled her personal best in the high jump for the second-straight meet, tying Stewart with a clearance of 1.71m/5-7.25. She also won the 800 meters, with a time of 2:19.41, picking up 832 points.
Kami Norton took fourth place, with a total of 3,611 points, the no. 27 mark in the country.
"I was extremely proud of the way our women competed in their first pentathlon of the season," Thomas said. "It was a great way to kick off a meet at our favorite place in the nation to compete."
On the men's side, Tyler Nelson was Tech's lone competitor in the men's heptathlon, and he got off to a good start by winning the 60 meter dash, in 7.15, and was in fourth place through two events, before exiting due to a minor injury.
Competition at the Masked Rider Open will resume tomorrow morning at 11 a.m., with the conclusion of the combined events, at the Athletic Training Center.
Players Mentioned
