Feb. 13, 2009
TEMPE - Sarah Stevens took over the national lead in her second event this season and Jason Lewis dominated in the weight throw as the two throwers paced the Arizona State University track and field team on day one of the Texas A&M Invitational Friday night in College Station, Texas, the home of the upcoming 2009 NCAA Championships (March 1-2). Their performances helped their respective teams to a place among the Top 3 in the scoring as well.
Through eight events that have been scored, the Sun Devil women are leading the team standings with 43 points with Texas closely behind at 41 and TCU in third with 38. On the men's side, host Texas A&M is leading the way with 51 points while Texas (45) and ASU (25) round out the Top 3.
Stevens, already the nation's leader in the weight throw, took over the top spot in the shot put as she won the event with a toss of 17.57m (57-07.75). Her mark, an automatic qualifier for the national meet, set a facility record and was one of three throws she had on the day that measured over 17.14m. The other winner on the day was Lewis, who captured the weight with an automatic-qualifying toss of 21.71m (71-02.25). Although Lewis has a better mark on the year (22.04m, the third-best in the NCAA), he still put together an impressive night as all five of his fair throws (he had one foul) were over 20-meters and were better than the event runner-up.
Staying in the field, Stephanie Garnett finished third in the women's long jump with a provisional-qualifying mark of 6.13m (20-01.50) while Cara Carpenter bettered her personal best clearance in the pole vault by one centimeter, moving up to 3.82m (12-06.25), the fifth-best mark in school history.
On the track, Charonda Williams ran 7.35 in the 60m dash and finished tied for fifth in the preliminaries. Her time, a provisional qualifier, advanced her to the final that will be held on Saturday. The men's Marcus Duncan followed suit by qualifying for the finals in the 60m dash as his time of 6.85 was good enough for 10th overall.
In the 400m dash, three women scored in the event and were led by Dominique' Maloy, who took fourth in 55.72. She was followed by Jeavon Benjamin (55.92), who was sixth, and Shauntel Elcock (56.10), who was seventh. All three women won their respective heats of the race. On the men's side, Joel Phillp finished third overall in 48.04, placing second in the fastest heat of the night.
ASU will continue competing at the TAMU meet on Saturday while several distance and mid-distance runners will also be competing at the Husky Classic in Seattle.
Meet Highlights - Texas A&M Invitational
Friday, February 13 - College Station, TX
NCAA Automatic Qualifiers
Sarah Stevens - W Shot Put - 17.57m (57-07.75) - national leader
Jason Lewis - M Weight - 21.71m (71-02.75)
NCAA Provisional Qualifiers
Charonda Williams - W 60m Dash - 7.35
Stephanie Garnett - W Long Jump - 6.13m (20-01.50)
Event Winners
Sarah Stevens - W Shot Put - 17.57m (57-07.75) - national leader
Jason Lewis - M Weight - 21.71m (71-02.75)
Women's Team Scores - Top 3 (through 8 events)
1. Arizona State - 43
2. Texas - 41
3. TCU - 38
Men's Team Scores - Top 3 (through 8 events)
1. Texas A&M - 51
2. Texas - 45
3. Arizona State - 25