The University of Akron Athletics
Zips Conclude Competition at 49er Classic
March 23 | Track & Field
After a successful day one, the University of Akron also
performed well in the final day of the 2008 UNC Charlotte 49er
Classic, held this weekend at Irwin Belk Track, seeing four NCAA
Regional standards met and two additional first-place finishes.
Senior Auston Papay, who earned All-American honors last
weekend at the NCAA Indoor Championships, was the top collegian to
finish in the shot put and discus, placing second overall in both
events. He additionally qualified for the NCAA Mideast Regional in
both events, posting a distance of 58-8.50 (17.89) in the shot and
170-7 (52.00). Akron's Keith Huebner just missed an NCAA Regional
standard in the shot, placing fourth overall with an effort of
54-10.75 (16.73). In the discus, Akron would claim three of the top
eight with Dylan Page placing fourth with a distance 159-3
(48.54) and Daniel Kinsey placing sixth with a distance of
154-5 (47.08).
Stevi Large, who posted NCAA Regional standards
Friday in the hammer and discus, made it three-for-three Saturday,
by winning the shot put with a career-best distance of 51-4.50
(15.66), the second-best effort in UA history. Sophomore Allison
Lawyer placed third in the event. Her distance of 45-9.75 was
both a career-best and the fifth-best effort in UA history.
After winning the long just but just missing the NCAA Regional
qualifying mark in the event Friday, senior Cadeau
Kelley was able to reach the NCAA Regional standard in the
triple jump Saturday, being the top collegian and second finisher
overall with a leap of 49-2.50 (15.00). On the women's side in the
triple jump, Niesha Kelly was the second collegian to finish
– third overall – with a leap of 39-1 (11.91).
The Zips added two more first-place finishers Saturday. In the
women's high jump, junior Kirsten English took top honors, clearing
5-5 (1.65). Freshman Kenny Owens won the pole vault, clearing
15-7 (4.75).
In the sprints, LaTalia Jones placed seventh in the 100m final
with a time of 12.05, while Brittany
Hocker placed third in the 200m (24.01). Also qualifying for
Saturday's final was freshman Ashley
Kaltwasser, who placed sixth in the 400m hurdles with a time of
1:06.09. For the men, Aaron Dobson was sixth (fourth-best
collegian) with a time of 11.01 and Anthony
Thomas was second in the 200m (21.72). In the 110m hurdles
final, Zach Harper placed third with a time of 14.35
with K.C. LaCross placing second in the 400m hurdles
with a career-best time of 53.60.
In the middle distance, Danielle Sidell cut five second off her
previous best time in the 800m, placing second with a time of
2:13.59. Jazz Banks followed with a fifth-place finish in
the 60-person field in the event with a time of 2:18.20. The Zips
also had a strong showing in the 3k steeplechase, taking second,
third and fourth. Leading the way was freshman Cassie
Schenck (11:13.65), followed by Heidi
Gross (11:30.88) and Olivia Jaworek (11:37.71). Akron also had
success in the men's steeplechase as Craig
Rupe was second (9:2673) and Andy
Morgan was third (9:27.64).
Sophomore Lauren Whitehill got her first action of the 2008
season with no indoor javelin or equivalent. She opened the year
with a third-place finish with a distance of 133-3 (40.62).
The Zips will stay on the road and south of the Mason-Dixon Line to
compete in the University of Florida Relays in Gainesville April
4-5.
