Alabama
Vanderbilt Indoor Invitational
Gregg's 5k PR leads Tide at Vanderbilt
1/23/2015 12:00:00 AM | Track & Field, Cross Country
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - University of Alabama sophomore Allison Gregg shaved more than 30 seconds off her previous personal best in the women's 5,000 meters on Friday night, highlighting the first of two days of competition for the Crimson Tide at the Vanderbilt Indoor Invitational held in Vanderbilt's Multipurpose Facility in Nashville.
Ten Crimson Tide athletes (5 men, 5 women) competed in eight events on Friday evening. Gregg's performance was impressive as only three seniors finished ahead of the sophomore, who finished in 17 minutes, 0.17 seconds, cutting 33 seconds off of her previous 5,000-meter indoor PR and a full 22 seconds off of her outdoor 5k all-time best.
Daniel Haugh was third in the men's weight throw with a throw of 62 feet, 4 1/2 inches (19.01 meters). Senior Charodd Richardson, the 2014 SEC weight throw champion, was fourth at 61-2 3/4 (18.66).
"I was proud of Allison Gregg and Daniel Haugh tonight, two young athletes who really stepped up and are improving," said Alabama head coach Dan Waters. "Overall tonight, this was a typical early-season outing. It's good to get more of our veteran people in action, but we're still working on technical changes across the board with everyone. That's particularly obvious in the field events. We're making progress and we're moving in the right direction. Tomorrow's a big day for us. We have a lot of people competing and we will have a much clearer picture of where we are after that."
Junior Justin Fondren was the top collegiate finisher in the men's high jump, clearing 7 feet, ½ inch (2.15 meters) to beat a tough field of competitors. That winning mark will likely place Fondren among the top 15 in the nation in the event when all results are in after the weekend concludes. 2014 Southeastern Conference men's triple jump champion Jeremiah Green started his sophomore season on Friday night with a sixth-place finish at 51 feet, three inches (15.62m).
Action continues Saturday on the meet's final day beginning at 10:30 a.m. with the women's mile and concluding at 5:30 p.m. with the men's 4x400-meter relay.
Men's Events
High Jump - Junior Justin Fondren was the top collegiate finisher in the men's high jump, taking second place overall behind Marcus Jackson (unattached). Fondren cleared 7 feet, 1/2 inch (2.15 meters) before bowing out with three misses at 7-1 3/4 (2.18). Jackson cleared that height on his third try to take first place overall. Fondren passed at 6-4 3/4 (1.95) and 6-6 3/4 (2.00) before clearing 6-8 3/4 (2.05) on his first attempt. He also cleared 6-10 3/4 (2.10) on his first attempt before going over the bar at 7-0 1/2 (2.15) on his third try. Fondren entered tied for 30th nationally in the event and his showing on Friday evening matches the nation's 12th-best clearance this season.
Triple Jump - Sophomore Jeremiah Green, the defending SEC indoor champion, had two legal jumps in his six attempts on the night, with a best of 51 feet, 3 inches (15.62 meters) to place sixth overall. Competing in the second flight, Green fouled on his first attempt before marking 51-3 (15.62) on his second try. He went 49-7 1/4 (15.12) on his third attempt, then fouled on his next three tries to close the competition. Green's 2015 debut should put him among the top 15 nationally.
Weight Throw - Freshman Daniel Haugh was third in the men's weight throw with a best of 62 feet, 4 1/2 inches (19.01 meters), which came on his first attempt of the night. Haugh had legal throws on four of six attempts, including his first three. He also had throws of 61-9 (18.83), 61-2 (18.64), and 60-7 (18.47). Senior Charodd Richardson was fourth at 61-2 3/4 (18.66), his only legal throw of the night. Richardson fouled on his second and third attempts before passing on the three final opportunities.
Pole Vault - Freshman Jake Zalesky was 12th overall in the men's pole vault, passing the first two heights (14-1 1/4, 4.30 meters; and 14-7 1/4, 4.45) before clearing 15-1 (4.60) on his second attempt. He exited after failing on three attempts at 15-7 (4.75).
Women's Events
5,000 Meters - Sophomore Allison Gregg took fourth place in the women's 5,000 in 17:00.17, shaving a remarkable 33 seconds off her previous personal best of 17:33.93 set at the Tyson Invitational in Fayetteville, Ark., on Feb. 14, 2014. Gregg's best 5k in any conditions was a 17:22.78 outdoors on May 3, 2014, at the Jace Lacoste Invitational in Oxford, Miss. Vanderbilt senior Claire Benjamin won Friday's race in 16:53.34. Gregg was the only non-senior in the top four finishers.
Long Jump - Junior Lacey Dent took eighth in the women's long jump with a leap of 19 feet, 1 1/2 inches (5.83 meters) while freshman Filippa Fotopoulou was 19th (17-11 3/4; 5.48).
Weight Throw - Nia Barnes finished fourth overall with a best throw of 61 feet (18.59 meters). Barnes' best throw of the night came on her fourth attempt. After starting with an effort of 57-8 (17.59m), she improved to 60-10 (18.54) on her second throw. She threw 58-10 (17.95) on her third attempt before hitting the 61-footer (18.59). She had a 60-10 (18.55) throw on her fifth attempt before fouling on her sixth and final try. DeAnna Price of Southern Illinois led from start to finish, uncorking her winning toss of 68-1 3/4 (20.77) on her first throw, an effort that ranks fourth-best in the nation.
Vanderbilt Indoor Invitational
Friday, January 23, 2015
Alabama Results
MEN
- High Jump - 2. Justin Fondren, 7-0 1/2 (2.15m).
- Triple Jump - 6. Jeremiah Green, 51-3 (15.62m).
- Pole Vault - 12. Jake Zalesky, 15-1 (4.60m).
- Weight Throw - 3. Daniel Haugh, 62-4 1/2 (19.01m); 4. Charodd Richardson, 61-2 3/4 (18.66m).
WOMEN
- 5,000 Meters - 4. Allison Gregg, 17:00.17.
- High Jump - DNP. Kathryn White, No Height.
- Long Jump - 8. Lacey Dent, 19-1 1/2 (5.83m); 19. Filippa Fotopoulou, 17-11 3/4 (5.48m).
- Weight Throw - 4. Nia Barnes, 61-0 (18.59m).
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