Stephen F. Austin
Samford Multi and Invitational
SFA Track Shines in Alabama
2/9/2014 12:00:00 AM | Track & Field
Feb. 9, 2014
Complete Results 
| Post-Meet Notes
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Stephen F. Austin track and field team traveled to Alabama this weekend to face one of the largest meets the Lumberjacks and Ladyjacks have seen this season at the Samford Multi and Invitational and came away with a number of personal records and impressive finishes against teams spanning the South.
Again, the sprinters shined for SFA highlighted by junior Brarysheyia Simpson in the 60 meters and 200 meters. Simpson won the women’s 200 meters Friday night with a time of 24.35 and backed that up with a third-place finish in the 60 on Saturday evening, clocking in at 7.56 seconds.
Simpson was not the only female sprinter to post fast times at the Birmingham CrossPlex. Hurdler Stephanie White ran a new PR with a time of 8.79 seconds and finished fifth in the 60 meter hurdles. Multi-event specialist Shambrail Woods also ran her fastest time of the season in the hurdles, crossing in nine seconds flat.
On the men’s side of the sprints Trevon Caudle came away in sixth place in the deep field in the 60 meters. Caudle ran 6.99 seconds in the final
“This was a great pre-conference meet for us,” said Assistant Coach Ron McCown. “A chance to compete on the track in Birmingham was great to prepare for the conference championship here. We look forward to returning to Alabama in just over two weeks.”
Distance runner Jonus Rodriguez posted a PR for the second straight week. This time he ran his fastest time in the 800 meters, crossing in 1:54.38 after running a PR in the mile last week. Rodriguez finished 11th with his mark in the 800 on Saturday and now ranks fifth in the Southland Conference.
Rana Ryan also ran well for the Ladyjacks in the distance group finishing 12th in the mile with a new personal record. Ryan ran 5:01.59 to stand seventh in the league with the conference championship just over two weeks away.
Both the men’s and women’s 4x400 relay teams also ran their fastest times of the season and placed well.
The men’s squad of Hampton Hawkins, Will Gibson, Shawn Goff and Josh Taylor combined to run 3:13.85 to finish third. The women’s group of Jessica Hatchett, Cierra Jefferson, Chasity Clark and Simpson ran 3:44.39 just over a second off the school record to finish fourth. Both times are tops in the conference this season.
In the field events, SFA had big marks from Melai Carter and Heather McPherson in the high jump. Both cleared 1.66 meters (5-05.25) with Carter finishing second and McPherson in fifth based on attempts.
Freshman Madeline Kaufman had a PR in the pole vault with a clearance of 3.70 meters (12-01.50) and now ranks third in the Southland.
SFA will be closer to home this week as the Lumberjacks and Ladyjacks head to the Houston Tune-Up on Friday to prepare one more time for the Southland Conference Championships slated for Feb. 26-28 at the CrossPlex in Birmingham.
- SFA -
