Alabama
SEC Indoor Track & Field Championships
Alabama Men Post Best Finish in 33 Years at SEC Indoor Championships
2/25/2017 7:41:00 PM | Track & Field, Cross Country
Crimson Tide finish second in men’s team chase; Alabama women finish sixth
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Jereem Richards won the men's 200 meters and Alabama received top-three finishes from Alfred Chelanga and Antibahs Kosgei in the 5,000 meters, Kord Ferguson in the shot put, Will Herrscher in the pole vault and the men's 4x400-meter relay team to earn a second-place finish at the 2017 Southeastern Conference Indoor Track & Field Championships in Nashville on Saturday. The finish is Alabama's first in the top two at the SEC indoor meet since finishing second in 1983 and 1984.
The Crimson Tide finished the 2017 championships with 93 points, one point off the team record set in 1983. Arkansas won the team title with 98 points. The championship wasn't decided until the end of the final event on Saturday – the 4x400-meter relay. The Crimson Tide quartet of sophomore Skyler Bowden, junior Jereem Richards and seniors Jacopo Lahbi and Steven Gayle lowered the school record for the second week in a row with a time of 3:02.92 to finish in third place, just ahead of the Razorbacks. But it wasn't enough to catch the Hogs for the team championship. Florida, Texas A&M and Ole Miss tied for third with 76 points.
The Alabama women finished sixth with 51 points for their best finish since a sixth-place finish in 2006. Arkansas also won the women's title with 106.5 points. LSU was second with 94, followed by Kentucky with 72, Georgia with 64 and Ole Miss with 61.5.
"I'm very proud of our entire program today," said head coach Dan Waters. "The team points worked out close to what we anticipated. I thought we could make a run for the men's title and finish about where we did in the women's standings, and we did. I've never been prouder of a team than I am this one today. Our kids came ready to compete this week, and it showed. They have the mentality to be a championship program now, and that's due to their hard work and their attitude. I was just so proud of our people this week."
In addition to the 93 points scored by the Tide men's team, the Alabama women's team's points total of 51 is the most since 2010 at the SEC indoor meet and ties for the third-most scored since 1994. In addition to the men's team achieving its highest team finish since success runner-up finishes 33 and 34 years ago, the Tide women's team's sixth-place finish marks Alabama's second top-six SEC indoor finish since winning the team title 23 years ago (1994).
Richards joined weight thrower Daniel Haugh as Alabama's second individual champion at the 2017 championships as the junior raced to victory in the men's 200 meters in a personal-best 20.34, the second-fastest time in school history. The victory is the first for Alabama in the 200 meters at the SEC Indoor Championships since Clive Wright won the event at the 1991 meet. Chelanga (13:58.08) and Kosgei (13:59.72) finished 2-3 in the 5,000 meters, posting the seventh- and ninth-fastest times in Alabama history. Ferguson finished third in the men's shot put with a personal best mark of 61-2 3/4 (18.66m). Senior Kyle Felpel finished fourth at 60-10 3/4 (18.61m). Herrscher finished second in the men's pole vault, and extended his school record, with a clearance of 17-7 3/4 (5.38m). Herrscher now owns the top four indoor pole vault marks in school history.
Vanessa Clerveaux got the women off to a fast start on Saturday, as the senior finished second in the women's 60-meter hurdles in a personal-best 8.05, the second-fastest time in Alabama history. Quanesha Burks followed that up with a fourth-place finish in the women's 60 meters in a time of 7.28, the second-fastest time of the senior's career. Other top finishers for the women included Alex Gholston, who finished third in the women's 400 meters in a personal-best 52.49, the second-fastest time in school history and Stacey Destin, who finished third in the women's high jump with a clearance of 5-10 (1.78m).
Alabama will await the announcement of final qualifiers early next week for the NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships, which will be held March 10-11 at Texas A&M University.
Men's Event Summaries – SEC Indoor Track & Field Championships Day 2
60-Meter Hurdles – Senior Angelo Goss finished fourth in a personal-best equaling 7.75 in the men's 60-meter hurdles. Junior Ruebin Walters was fifth at 7.78. Both times rank in the top 10 on the Alabama career list.
400 Meters – Senior Steven Gayle finished fifth in the men's 400 meters in a personal best 45.97, the second-fastest time in school history. Gayle now owns the second- and third-fastest times in the event in Alabama history.
800 Meters – Senior Jacopo Lahbi finished sixth in the men's 800 meters in a time of 1:49.44.
200 Meters – Junior Jereem Richards raced to victory in the men's 200 meters in a personal-best 20.34, the second-fastest time in school history. The victory is the first for Alabama in the 200 meters at the SEC Indoor Championships since Clive Wright won the event at the 1991 meet.
5,000 Meters – Junior Alfred Chelanga finished second in the men's 5,000 meters in 13:58.08, the seventh-fastest time in school history. Senior Antibahs Kosgei was third in a personal best time of 13:59.72, the ninth-fastest in Alabama history. Junior Conner Thompson finished seventh in a personal best of 14:12.72.
Distance Medley Relay – Alabama's distance medley of freshmen Patrick Grant and Will Allen and seniors Payton Ballard and Robbie Farnham-Rose finished fifth in 9:46.81.
4x400-Meter Relay – The 4x400 relay quartet of sophomore Skyler Bowden, junior Jereem Richards and seniors Jacopo Lahbi and Steven Gayle lowered the school record for the second week in a row with a time of 3:02.92 to finish in third place.
Triple Jump – Senior Klyvens Delaunay finished eighth in the men's triple jump with a mark of 50-1 1/4 (15.27m). Freshman Michael Wiggins finished 11th at 47-5 3/4 (14.47m).
Alabama Series
Delaunay – Foul; 50-1 1/4 (15.27m); 48-9 1/2 (14.87m); Foul; 45-1 (13.74m); 49-9 3/4 (15.18m)
Wiggins – Foul; Foul; 47-5 3/4 (14.47m)
Shot Put – Sophomore Kord Ferguson finished third in the men's shot put with a personal best mark of 61-2 3/4 (18.66m). Senior Kyle Felpel finished fourth at 60-10 3/4 (18.61m). Senior Nathan Karr finished 12th with a personal best 57-4 3/4 (17.49m).
Alabama Series
Ferguson – 61-2 3/4 (18.66m); Foul; 58-6 (17.83m); Foul; 59-7 3/4 (18.18m); 61-0 3/4 (18.61m)
Felpel – Foul; 59-4 3/4 (18.10m); 60-9 1/2 (18.53m); 60-10 1/2 (18.55m); Foul; 60-10 3/4 (18.56m)
Nathan Karr – 57-4 3/4 (17.49m); 57-3 (17.45m); Foul
Reed – Foul; Foul; Foul
Pole Vault – Sophomore Will Herrscher finished second in the men's pole vault, and extended his school record, with a clearance of 17-7 3/4 (5.38m). Herrscher now owns the top four indoor pole vault marks in school history.
Alabama Series
Herrscher – 4.90m (Pass); 5.05m (Pass); 5.20m (xo); 5.30m (o); 5.38m (xo); 5.46m (xxx)
Zalesky – 4.90m (xxx)
Barrett – 4.90m (xxx)
Women's Event Summaries – SEC Indoor Track & Field Championships Day 2
60-Meter Hurdles – Senior Vanessa Clerveaux finished second in the women's 60-meter hurdles in a personal-best 8.05, the second-fastest time in Alabama history.
60 Meters – Senior Quanesha Burks finished fourth in the women's 60 meters in a time of 7.28, the second-fastest time of her career.
400 Meters – Senior Alex Gholston sprinted to a personal-best 52.49, the second-fastest time in school history, to finish third in the women's 400 meters.Â
5,000 Meters – Sophomore Nicole Gardner (15th, 16:58.78) led a pack of Crimson Tide runners who recorded personal bests in the women's 5,000 meters. Freshman Hannah Capek finished 21st in 17:09.08. Freshman Elisabeth Danis finished 24th in 17:19.47 and freshman Rebecca Buteau finished 27th in 17:38.17.
800 Meters – Sophomore Kristyn Williams finished fifth in the women's 800 meters in a personal best time of 2:06.79.
Distance Medley Relay – Alabama's distance medley relay team of Caroline Barlow, Sarah Mohan, Janel Pate and Hannah Waggoner finished 11th in 11:50.15, the ninth-fastest time in school history.
4x400-Meter Relay – The foursome of senior Alex Gholston, freshman Symone Darius and seniors Diamond Gause and Domonique Williams was disqualified for interference after finishing fifth in 3:33.71, which would have been the second-fastest time in school history.
High Jump – Sophomore Stacey Destin finished third in the women's high jump with a clearance of 5-10 (1.78m), equaling her third-best clearance of the season.
Alabama Series
Destin – 1.64m (Pass); 1.69m (Pass); 1.74m (o); 1.78m (o); 1.81m (xxx)
Triple Jump – Sophomore Kiara Williams finished 17th in the women's triple jump with a season-best mark of 40-4 1/4 (12.30m).
Alabama Series
Kiara Williams – 39-5 (12.01m); 40-4 1/4 (12.30m); 39-6 (12.04m)
SEC Indoor Track & Field Championships
Friday, February 24, 2017
Alabama Results
Men
Team Scoring
1. Arkansas- 98
2. ALABAMA- 93
3t. Florida -76
3t. Texas A&M- 76
3t. Ole Miss- 76
60-Meter Hurdles – 4. Angelo Goss, 7.74; 5. Ruebin Walters, 7.78
400 Meters – 5. Steven Gayle, 45.97 (PB) (TSB)
800 Meters – 6. Jacopo Lahbi, 1:49.44
200 Meters – 1. Jereem Williams, 20.34 (PB)
5,000 Meters – 2. Alfred Chelanga, 13:58.61; 3. Antibahs Kosgei, 13:59.72 (PB); 7. Conner Thompson, 14:12.72 (PB); DNF. Josh Short Â
Distance Medley Relay – 5. Alabama (Patrick Grant, Will Allen, Payton Ballard, Robbie Farnham-Rose), 9:46.81
4x400-Meter Relay – 3. Alabama (Skyler Bowden, Jereem Richards, Jacopo Lahbi, Steven Gayle), 3:02.92
Triple Jump – 8. Klyvens Delaunay, 50-1 1/4 (15.27m); 11. Michael Wiggins, 47-5 3/4 (14.47m)
Shot Put – 3. Kord Ferguson, 61-2 3/4 (18.66m) (PB); 4. Kyle Felpel, 60-10 34/4 (18.56m); 12. Nathan Karr, 57-4 3/4 (17.49m) (PB); NM. Hayden Reed
Pole Vault – 2. Will Herrscher, 17-7 3/4 (5.38m) (PB) (SR); NH. Henry Barrett; NH. Jake Zalesky
Women
Team Scoring
1. Arkansas- 106.5
2. LSU- 94
3. Kentucky- 72
4. Georgia- 64
5. Ole Miss- 61.5
6. ALABAMA- 51
60-Meter Hurdles – 2. Vanessa Clerveaux, 8.05 (PB)
60 Meters – 4. Quanesha Burks, 7.28
400 Meters – 3. Alex Gholston, 52.49 (PB)
5,000 Meters – 15. Nicole Gardner, 16:58.78 (PB); 21. Hannah Capek, 17.09.08 (PB); 24. Elisabeth Danis, 17:19.47 (PB); 27. Rebecca Buteau, 17:38.17 (PB); DNF. Kaitlin York
800 Meters – 5. Kristyn Williams, 2:06.79 (PB)
Distance Medley Relay – 11. Alabama (Caroline Barlow, Janel Pate, Sarah Mohan, Hannah Waggoner), 11:50.15
4x400-Meter Relay – DQ. Alabama (Alex Gholston, Symone Darius, Diamond Gause, Domonique Williams)
High Jump – 3. Stacey Destin, 5-10 (1.78m)
Triple Jump –17. Kiara Williams, 40-4 1/4 (12.30m) (SB)
Alabama Superlatives
School Records
Men
Weight Throw: Daniel Haugh, 75-8 (23.06m)
Pole Vault: Will Herrscher, 17-7 3/4 (5.38m)
4x400-Meter Relay: Skyler Bowden, Jereem Richards, Jacopo Lahbi, Steven Gayle- 3:02.92
Women
Pentathlon: Stacey Destin, 4,166 points
Shot Put: Haley Teel, 55-10 1/4 (17.02m)
Personal Bests
Men
60-Meter Hurdles: Ruebin Walters, 7.72
60-Meter Hurdles: Angelo Goss, 7.75 (prelims)
60-Meter Hurdles: Angelo Goss, 7.75 (final)
Weight Throw: Elias Hakansson, 71-6 3/4 (21.81m)
400 Meters: Skyler Bowden, 47.41
400 Meters: Steven Gayle, 46.28 (prelims)
400 Meters: Steven Gayle, 45.97 (final)
Shot Put: Kord Ferguson, 61-2 3/4 (18.66m)
Shot Put: Nathan Karr, 57-4 3/4 (17.49m)
200 Meters: Jereem Richards, 20.34
5,000 Meters: Antibahs Kosgei, 13:59.72
5,000 Meters: Conner Thompson, 14:12.72
Women
60-Meter Hurdles: Stacey Destin, 8.57 (pentathlon)
60-Meter Hurdles: Vanessa Clerveaux, 8.05
60 Meters: Symone Darius, 7.43
Pole Vault: Lakan Taylor, 14-2 1/2 (4.33m)
800 Meters: Stacey Destin, 2:21.32 (pentathlon)
3,000 Meters: Nicole Gardner, 9:40.33
400 Meters: Alex Gholston, 52.49
5,000 Meters: Nicole Gardner, 16:58.78
5,000 Meters: Hannah Capek, 17.09.08
5,000 Meters: Elisabeth Danis, 17:19.47
5,000 Meters: Rebecca Buteau, 17:38.17
800 Meters: Kristyn Williams, 2:06.79
PB- Personal best
SB- Season best
TSB- Team Season Best
SR- School record
NB- National best
NM- No mark
NH- No height
DNF- Did not finish
DNS- Did not start
DQ- Disqualified
Q- Qualified for final with heat win
q- Qualified for final on time
Get all the latest information on the team by following @AlabamaTrack on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. General athletic news can also be found at UA_Athletics on Twitter and Instagram and AlabamaAthletics on Facebook.Â
Players Mentioned
