Kats in championship form at Last Chance meet
5/14/2016 11:20:00 PM | Track & Field, Women's Track & Field
With the Southland Conference Outdoor Championships a week earlier than most, the Sam Houston State track and field program looked to continue its momentum during the championship season, hosting its Last Chance Meet on Saturday.
As was reflected by last week's women's championship and men's runner-up spot, the squads appeared in peak form at Bowers Stadium. Seven athletes set new personal bests including Ashley Jenkins, who moved up to No. 4 on the NCAA West Qualifying List in the hammer throw with a first-place toss of 215 feet, 5 inches.
To earn a berth in the NCAA Preliminary Round, an athlete must rank among the top 48 competitors in their event. The top 12 finishers in each event at both the East and West prelims qualify for the NCAA Championships in Eugene, Oregon, June 8-11.
Sam Houston's Jeffrey Moore and Kalvin Singletary boosted their stock with personal bests on Saturday. Moore, the reigning Southland Conference high point scorer, and Singletary both moved up to No. 17 in the West in the 800 meters (1:48.42) and the hammer throw (207 feet, 3 inches), respectively.
Likewise, Camry Grigsby's personal-best in the 800 meters (2:07.27) bumped her up to 32nd in the West. Other personal bests included Briana McCall's runner-up in the 800 meters (2:08.55), Saige Revell's (43rd in the West) runner-up in the triple jump (47 feet, 10 ½ inches) and Darian Bucknor's fourth-place triple jump mark (39 feet, 11 ¼ inches).
Ruth Amaku, who ranks 24th in the West, won the 400-meter hurdles (59.36) while Courtney Lord checks in at No. 43 in the high jump after her performance at the league outdoors and went third in the high jump (5 feet, 5 ¾ inches).
Ashley Thompson (46th in the West) took the top spot in the pole vault at 12 feet, 8 inches and Paula Smith (47th in the West) took third in the long jump with a leap of 19 feet, ½ inch. Tristyn Allen (28th in the West) also took third with a triple jump of 39 feet, 11 ½ inches.
Kristine Hanks (27th in the West) won the shot put at 50 feet, 7 ¼ inches while Elizabeth Lyssy (41st in the West) claimed third in the javelin with a distance of 139 feet.
For the men, Justin Jenkins (27th in the West) took home the 100-meter dash title (10.59) as did William Stark – who ranks No. 38 in 110-meter hurdles – in the 400-meter dash (52.72). Garrett Larson (11th in the West) continued his hot spring with the top spot in the pole vault (17 feet, 5 ¾ inches).
Meanwhile, Damian O'Neal notched a second-place finisher in the 110-meter hurdles (14.67) while Robert Monticone and James Endsley captured third in the 800 meters (1:51.66) and the triple jump (167 feet, 11 inches), respectively.
In the triple jump, Aaron Akens secured fourth with a leap of 162 feet and in the pole vault, Ashton Summers went fifth at 16 feet.
As it stands presently, nine Sam Houston men qualify in 11 different events while 12 women qualify in as many events for the West Prelims, which take place May 26-28 in Lawrence, Kan. A season ago, the Bearkats sent 18 athletes to the event.
