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2/20/2009 - MEN'S INDOOR TRACK
ETSU sprints ahead after Day One in Johnson City
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JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. - The 2009 Indoor Track & Field Championships kicked off on Friday from the Memorial Center with the host, ETSU leading after day one. Top performances by three athletes pushed the Buccaneers to a 30-point lead on defending champion Kennesaw State.
ETSU's Josh Cloyd finished first in the long jump with a mark of 7.41 meters, improving on his third-place finish from a year ago. Campbell teammates Harold Sims and Robert Brunson took silver and bronze.
In the 3000 meter run, ETSU's Benjamin Ronoh led a one-two finish for the Bucs, winning with a time of 8 minutes 24.55 seconds, slashing the old record, 8:30.82, set by Belmont's John Brigham in 2008. His teammate, Kenneth Rotich, took second and third-place finisher, Kennesaw State’s Scott Burley, also surpassed the old record.
The meet wrapped up with a record-setting shot put by ETSU's Jarrod Burton. tossing a 16.89 meter throw to take gold. Burton bested the defending champ, Kennesaw State’s Josh McNair. Fellow Owl Aymerick Kolokilagi took home the bronze.
USC Upstate pole vaulter Justin Crawford placed first clearing 4.45 meters, giving the Spartans their first-ever individual title. ETSU’s Jordan Brigg and Drew Beamer finished second and third.
The top three teams in the distance medley relay finished faster than the previous record of 10:19.89 set by Belmont in 2008. The Owls finished first with in 10:16.40 with ETSU and Belmont closely behind.
After four events, Kennesaw State's Casey Strickland leads in the heptathlon with 2887 points. Strickland finished third in the heptathlon in 2008. USC Upstate's Perrish Goggins is in second with 2817 points. Goggins finished runner-up at the 2008 championship behind Gardner-Webb's Elliott Haynie. Nic Chernikow from ETSU will enter the tomorrow in to the third spot with 2705 points.
The 2009 championship will continue on Saturday at 8:30 a.m. with the 60-meter hurdles, the pole vault and 1000-meter run for the conclusion of the heptathlon. Additional medals will be awarded in the 35-pound weight throw, the triple jump, the mile run, the high jump, the 60-meter hurdles, the 400-meter dash, the 60-meter dash, the 800-meter run, the 200-meter dash, the 5000-meter run and conclude with the 1600-meter relay.
The Atlantic Sun Conference is an 11-member league committed to Building Winners for Life. The A-Sun stands for achievement with integrity in both the academic and athletic arenas, with a focus on the balance between the two for our student-athletes. Headquartered in Macon, Ga., the A-Sun boasts six of the top eight media markets in the Southeast. The A-Sun includes a blend of the most prestigious and dynamic private and public institutions in the region: Belmont University, Campbell University, East Tennessee State University, Florida Gulf Coast University, Jacksonville University, Kennesaw State University, Lipscomb University, Mercer University, University of North Florida, University of South Carolina Upstate and Stetson University.
