Track & Field Opens Outdoor Season at Palmetto Classic
3/11/2011 3:55:00 AM
STATESBORO, Ga. - After a week away from competition following the Southern Conference Indoor Championships, the Georgia Southern Track and Field team begins its outdoor season Friday, March 11th at the Palmetto Classic. The College of Charleston and The Citadel serve as co-hosts for the event at the Park West facility in Mt. Pleasant, S.C., with field events beginning at 1:30 p.m. and running events set for 3 p.m.
"The beginning of outdoor season is always really exciting and highly anticipated by both the student-athletes and the coaches," said Eagle Head Track and Field Coach Natalie Smith. "We have been encouraged by the output of our young team so far. Now we are looking for the team, collectively, to bring the competition and expectancy up a level as we have six weeks of preparation until the next SoCon championship. We prepare our team to rise to every challenge and our competition doesn't allow for any slack."
The Eagles finished third at the SoCon indoor championship and captured 11 top-five finishes. All-SoCon freshman Kwajelin Holsendolph (Hinesville, Ga.) came within .07 seconds of the Georgia Southern record in the 60 meter Hurdles while Jasmine Billings (Lawrenceville, Ga.) posted her career best in that event at the SoCon indoor meet. Holsendolph finished second in the SoCon Indoor 60 meter Dash and also competed as a member of the 4X400 Relay.
Georgia Southern should continue to dominate in the sprint and jump events during the outdoor season and Smith looks for solid performances in the throwing arena to develop these events as Eagle strongholds. Azura Robillard (Altamonte Springs, Fla.) won the javelin in the 2010 Palmetto Classic with a throw of 101'4", more than seven feet farther than the nearest competitor. Ashley Thomas (Lawrenceville, Ga.) took first place in the shot put with a throw of 39'8" (10.89 m) at this event as a freshman last year.
Fifth-year senior Shaunta Hamilton (Macon, Ga.) rejoins the Eagles for her final outdoor season and brings experience and maturity to the squad. Hamilton's presence will offset some of the unexpected injuries that forced a change to Smith's lineup coming into the outdoor season. Hamilton, who won the Long Jump at the Palmetto Classic a year ago, won the SoCon Heptathlon title in 2010 and had top-five finishes in the Triple Jump (third) and Long Jump (fifth).
Millicent Brooks-Millender, who had a solid indoor season, is poised for a standout outdoor campaign. Millender recorded her personal best in the Triple Jump at the SoCon Indoor Championship, finishing third in the event. She joins the Eagle contingent competing in the Long Jump.
With Georgia Southern records in the 3,000 and 5,000 meter run during the indoor season, sophomore Sara Curry (Lawrenceville, Ga.) should continue her success in distance events. Junior Brittani Martin (Alpharetta, Ga.) and senior Kassi Lee (Elberton, Ga.) return to competition for the first time after missing part of cross country season and all of indoor season. Entrants for the 5,000 meter event are Martin, Lee and freshman Amanda Ventre (Acworth, Ga.). Curry and Amanda Tennyson (Grayson, Ga.) will race in the Mile Run in Friday's meet.
Up-to-date information and results for the Georgia Southern Track and Field team can be found at GeorgiaSouthernEagles.com/track&field and short updates are available at twitter.com/GSAthletics or facebook.com/GSAthletics.
