McConnell and Williams Post Wins on Opening Day of Bulldog Relays

Friday, March 17

Starkville, Miss.

Noon (CT)

Alabama

Bulldog Relays

McConnell and Williams Post Wins on Opening Day of Bulldog Relays

3/17/2017 6:58:00 PM | Track & Field, Cross Country

Bulldog Relays- Day 1 Results

McConnell wins women’s hammer throw; Williams captures men’s discus crown

STARKVILLE, Miss. – Junior Danielle McConnell won the women's hammer throw and senior Joe Williams won the men's discus as the Alabama track & field teams opened the outdoor portion of the 2017 schedule at the Bulldog Relays on Friday at Mississippi State's Mike Sanders Track Complex in Starkville, Miss.

McConnell was the first Crimson Tide student-athlete to compete on Friday and got the Tide off to a good start as her mark of 188-6 1/2 (57.46m) on her final throw of the day vaulted her to a win in the hammer throw. Williams ended Alabama's day with a winning throw of 185-8 (56.59m) in the men's discus.

Also competing for the Tide on Friday were freshman Jacob Beene, who finished second in the hammer throw with a mark of 191-0 3/4 (58.23m) and sophomore Holly Julifs and freshman Hannah Chappell who finished third and sixth, respectively, in the women's discus. Julifs posted a mark of 153-7 (46.82m) while Chappell made her outdoor debut with an effort of 139-5 (42.51m).

"Today was a good chance to give our discus and hammer throwers their first taste of competition this season," head coach Dan Waters said. "I'm pleased with the results and look forward to seeing what the group competing on Saturday can do as well."

Day 2 of the Bulldog Relays will begin for the Crimson Tide at 10 a.m. on Saturday with freshman Samantha Zelden in the women's javelin. Running events will begin at 12:20 p.m. with junior Kaitlin Walker and sophomore Jada Jackson in the 400-meter hurdles.

Men's Event Summaries – Bulldog Relays Day 1

Finals

Hammer Throw – Freshman Jacob Beene finished second in the hammer throw in his collegiate outdoor debut with a mark of 191-0 3/4 (58.23m).

Alabama Series

Beene – 189-7 (57.79m); Foul; 187-10 (57.27m); 189-5 (57.73m); Foul; 191-0 3/4 (58.23m);

Discus – Senior Joe Williams won the men's discus with a mark of 185-8 (56.59m). Senior Hayden Reed did not record a clean throw.

Alabama Series

Joe Williams – Foul; Foul; 156-9 (47.78m); Foul; 185-8 (56.59m); Foul

Reed – Foul; Foul; Foul

Ferguson – DNS

Women's Event Summaries – Bulldog Relays Day 1

Finals

Hammer Throw – Junior Danielle McConnell opened competition for the Tide on Friday by winning the women's hammer throw with an effort of 188-6 1/2 (57.46m)

Alabama Series

McConnell – 184-2 (56.13m); 176-5 (53.77m); 183-10 (56.05m); 187-8 (57.22m); 185-2 (56.45m); 188-6 1/2 (57.46m);

Discus – Sophomore Holly Julifs finished third in the women's discus with a mark of 153-7 (46.82m). Freshman Hannah Chappell finished sixth at 139-5 (42.51m).

Alabama Series

Julifs – 153-7 (46.82m); 145-9 (44.42m); 140-7 (43.86m); Foul; Foul; 149-5 (45.54m)

Chappell – Foul; 139-5 (42.51m); Foul; Foul; Foul; Foul

Bulldog Relays

Friday, March 17, 2017

Alabama Results

Men

Finals

Hammer Throw – 2. Jacob Beene, 191-10 3/4 (58.23m)

Discus – 1. Joe Williams, 185-8 (56.59m); NM. Hayden Reed; DNS. Kord Ferguson

Women

Finals

Hammer Throw – 1. Danielle McConnell, 188-6 1/2 (57.46m)

Discus – 3. Holly Julifs, 153-7 (46.82m); 6. Hannah Chappell, 139-5 (42.51m)

PB- Personal best

SB- Season best

SR- School record

NB- National best

NM- No mark

NH- No height

DNF- Did not finish

DNS- Did not start

Q- Qualified for final with heat win

q- Qualified for final on time

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