Alabama
SEC Outdoor Track & Field Championships
McEwen and Kiprop Take Home Event Titles on Final Day of SEC Outdoor Track & Field Championships
5/13/2018 10:18:00 PM | Track & Field, Cross Country
Freshman Tamara Clark sets school record in the women’s 100 meters on Sunday
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The Alabama track & field teams capped off their weekend at the SEC Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Knoxville, Tenn., with two conference event champions, seven All-SEC performances and a school record in the women's 100 meters.
Junior Shelby McEwen won the high jump with a personal best-equaling clearance of 7-4 ½ (2.25m). The mark also equals the No. 4 jump in UA history. McEwen is the first UA jumper to win the SEC high jump title since Thomas McCants in 1985. This is the second conference title for the Abbeville, Miss., native. McEwen also won the 2018 SEC indoor high jump crown in February.
"If you watch Shelby jump, you know he can jump a lot higher," Alabama head coach Dan Waters said. "He's one of the most dependable guys on our team. He enjoys life and enjoys high jumping. He takes the right approach in everything he does."
Junior Vincent Kiprop won his second individual title of the weekend with a victory in the 5,000 meters. Kiprop outsprinted Kentucky's Jacob Thomson down the homestretch to finish in 13:48.49 to give the Kericho, Kenya, native the league titles in the 5,000- and 10,000-meters. Kiprop's Tide teammate Alfred Chelanga finished third in 13:53.70.
"That was a very classy field of distance runners out there this weekend," Waters said. "To beat all those guys twice in three days is a pretty phenomenal run. Vincent's just determined. He wanted to do it for the team and set the tone for the weekend. He's kind of taken that distance group on his back. He's a pretty special guy."
Also earning All-SEC honors on Sunday were juniors Keitavious Walter and Kord Ferguson in the men's 200 meters and men's discus.
Ferguson finished second in the discus with a throw of 193-8 (59.05m) to give the Tide a medalist in the event for the third year in a row. Walter finished third in the 200 meters in a personal best – and UA season best – time of 20.33. The Ruston, La., native also finished sixth in the 100 meters in 20.18.
Other scorers for the men included freshmen Champion Allison and Christian Edwards finishing sixth in the 400 meters and triple jump, respectively. Allison posted a personal best – and UA season best – time of 45.71 in the 400 while Edwards recorded a leap of 51-6 ½ (15.71m) in the triple jump.
Junior Daniel Haugh followed up his third place finish in the hammer throw on Friday with a fourth place finish in the discus on Sunday with a throw of 186-2 (56.74m).
Freshman Jake Spotswood and junior Will Herrscher finished sixth and seventh, respectively, in the pole vault. The duo both cleared 16-8 ¾ (5.10m), with Spotswood winning the tie-breaker on fewest misses. Freshman Ryan Lipe and sophomore Henry Barrett tied for eighth at 16-2 ¾ (4.95m).
The performances propelled the Crimson Tide men to a fourth place finish in the team standings, giving UA a third-consecutive top-five finish at the conference outdoor meet for the first time since a run of three in a row from 1989-91.
Florida captured the men's team title with 111 points. Texas A&M was second with 100, followed by Arkansas (99), Alabama (97.66) and Georgia (71) in the top five.
On the women's side, freshman Tamara Clark finished third in the 100 meters in a UA school record time of 11.02. Clark's mark tops the previous record of 11.03 set by Remona Burchell in 2014. The High Point, N.C., native added another bronze medal to her day with a third place finish in the 200 an hour later. Clark posted a time of 22.64 in the 200 meters, which is the fifth-fastest mark in UA history.
"Tamara's just one of the elite freshmen in the country," Waters said. "There have been a lot of great sprinters who have run at Alabama. To top all of them in her first year here is pretty special and she's only going to get better."
Junior Portious Warren finished fourth in the discus with a personal best throw of 171-9 (52.35). The mark equals the sixth-best throw in school history. Alabama's 4x100-meter relay of freshmen Daija Lampkin, Clark, sophomore Symone Darius and freshman Demi Washington finished fourth in 43.27. The time is the second-fastest for UA this season and ranks No. 7 in school history.
Junior Nicole Gardner finished eighth in the 1,500 meters in a time of 4:29.91. Senior Britainy Smith tied for seventh in the pole vault with a clearance of 13-3 ½ (4.05m). Senior Kaitlin Walker finished fifth in the 400-meter hurdles in 58.28, the ninth-fastest time in school history.
The 4x400-meter relay of Lampkin, Darius and sophomores Katie Funcheon and Takyera Roberson capped the day for the women with a sixth place finish in 3:29.71, which ranks No. 3 in school history.
The Crimson Tide women finished ninth in the team standings with 53.6 points. Florida won the women's title with 91 points, followed by LSU (88.5), Texas A&M (79.5), Tennessee (78) and Ole Miss (74) in the top five.
"We're proud of the way everyone performed this weekend," Waters added. "Sometimes in athletics you miss a free throw or drop pass. You make mistakes from time to time. We had a few today but by no means does that define how hard we competed. They competed at a championship level. The good thing is we've got more meets to come, starting with the regional in two weeks."
Next up for Alabama will be the NCAA East Regional, May 24-26, at the University of South Florida in Tampa, Fla. Qualifiers for the regional will be announced later this week.
Men's Event Summaries – SEC Championships Day 3
Pole Vault – Freshman Jake Spotswood and junior Will Herrscher finished sixth and seventh, respectively, in the pole vault. The duo both cleared 16-8 ¾ (5.10m), with Spotswood winning the tie-breaker on fewest misses. Freshman Ryan Lipe and sophomore Henry Barrett tied for eighth at 16-2 ¾ (4.95m).
Alabama Series
Spotswood – 15-9 (4.80m) (ppp); 16-2 ¾ (4.95m) (o); 16-8 ¾ (5.10m) (xo); 17-0 ¾ (5.20m) (xxx)
Herrscher – 15-9 (4.80m) (ppp); 16-2 ¾ (4.95m) (o); 16-8 ¾ (5.10m) (xxo); 17-0 ¾ (5.20m) (xxp); 17-4 ½ (5.30m) (x);
Barrett – 15-9 (4.80m) (ppp); 16-2 ¾ (4.95m) (xo); 16-8 ¾ (5.10m) (xxx)
Lipe – 15-9 (4.80m) (ppp); 16-2 ¾ (4.95m) (xo); 16-8 ¾ (5.10m) (xxx)
Zalesky – 15-9 (4.80m) (xxx)
4x100-Meter Relay – Alabama's men's 4x100-meter relay of sophomore Alize Ford, junior Keitavious Walter, senior Ruebin Walters and freshman Champion Allison finished ninth in 39.97.
1,500 Meters – Senior Connor Ferrentino finished 14th in the 1,500 meters in 3:53.46.
Triple Jump – Freshman Christian Edwards finished sixth in the triple jump with a leap of 51-6 ½ (15.71m). Sophomore Michael Wiggins finished 13th at 48-4 (14.73m).
Alabama Series
Christian Edwards – Foul; 51-6 ½ (15.71m); Foul; Foul; Foul; Foul
Wiggins – Foul; Foul; 48-4 (14.73m)
Discus – Junior Kord Ferguson finished second in the discus with a throw of 193-8 (59.05m). Junior Daniel Haugh finished fourth at 186-2 (56.74m).
Alabama Series
Ferguson – 180-2 (54.92m); Foul; 187-9 (57.23m); Foul; 193-8 (59.05m); 191-10 (58.47m)
Haugh – 165-8 (50.51m); 184-8 (56.30m); Foul; 183-10 (56.05m); 186-2 (56.74m); Foul
Parks – 144-0 (43.91m); Foul; 158-2 (48.22m)
110-Meter Hurdles – Senior Ruebin Walters clipped the first hurdle, stumbled and did not finish in the 110-meter hurdles.
High Jump – Junior Shelby McEwen won the high jump with a personal best-equaling clearance of 7-4 ½ (2.25m). The mark also equals the No. 4 jump in UA history. McEwen is the first UA jumper to win the SEC high jump title since Thomas McCants in 1985.
Alabama Series
McEwen – 6-7 (2.01m) (ppp); 6-9 (2.06m) (ppp); 6-11 (2.11m) (o); 7-1 (2.16m) (o); 7-2 ¼ (2.19m) (o); 7-3 ¼ (2.22m) (xo); 7-4 ½ (2.25m) (xxo); 7-5 ¾ (2.28m) (xxx)
400 Meters – Freshman Champion Allison finished sixth in the 400 meters in a personal best – and UA season best – time of 45.71.
100 Meters – Junior Keitavious Walter finished sixth in the 100 meters in a time of 10.18.
200 Meters – Junior Keitavious Walter finished third in the 200 meters in a personal best time of 20.33. The time is also a UA season best.
5,000 Meters – Junior Vincent Kiprop won his second individual title with a victory in the 5,000 meters. Kiprop outsprinted Kentucky's Jacob Thomson down the homestretch to finish in 13:48.49. Senior Alfred Chelanga finished third in 13:53.70 and junior Gilbert Kigen finished fourth in 13:58.01.
Women's Event Summaries – SEC Championships Day 3
High Jump – Junior Stacey Destin tied for ninth in the high jump with a clearance of 5-7 (1.70m).
Alabama Series
Destin – 5-5 (1.65m) (ppp); 5-7 (1.70m) (xo) 5-8 ¾ (1.75m) (xxx)
Discus – Junior Portious Warren finished fourth in the discus with a personal best throw of 171-9 (52.35). The mark equals the sixth-best throw in school history. Junior Holly Julifs finished 10th with a throw of 153-5 (46.76m).
Alabama Series
Warren – 161-0 (49.09m); 163-1 (49.71m); 171 (51.84m); 171-9 (52.35m); 158-0 (48.16m)
Julifs – 153-5 (47.33m); Foul; 149-1 (45.46)
Triple Jump – Freshman Jaimie Robinson finished 14th in the triple jump with a leap of 42-4 ¼ (12.91m). Junior Tamara Moncrieffe finished 15th at 41-3 (12.57m).
Alabama Series
Moncrieffe – Foul; 41-3 (12.57m); Foul;
Robinson – 41-9 ¼ (12.73m); 38-6 ¾ (11.75m); 42-4 ¼ (12.91m)
4x100-Meter Relay – Alabama's 4x100-meter relay of freshmen Daija Lampkin and Tamara Clark, sophomore Symone Darius and freshman Demi Washington finished fourth in 43.27. The time is the second-fastest for UA this season and ranks No. 7 in school history.
1,500 Meters – Junior Nicole Gardner finished eighth in the 1,500 meters in a time of 4:29.91.
Pole Vault – Senior Britainy Smith tied for seventh in the pole vault with a clearance of 13-3 ½ (4.05m). Freshman Colleen Clancy tied for 15th at 12-11 ½ (3.95m).
Alabama Series
Smith – 12-5 ½ (3.80m) (ppp); 12-11 ½ (3.95m) (o); 13-3 ½ (4.05m) (o); 13-7 ¼ (4.15m) (xxx)
Clancy – 12-5 ½ (3.80m) (o); 12-11 ½ (3.95m) (xxo); 13-3 ½ (4.05m) (xxx)
100 Meters – Freshman Tamara Clark finished third in the 100 meters in a UA school record time of 11.02. Clark's mark tops the previous record of 11.03 set by Remona Burchell in 2014.
400-Meter Hurdles – Senior Kaitlin Walker finished fifth in the 400-meter hurdles in 58.28, the ninth-fastest time in school history.
200 Meters – Freshman Tamara Clark finished third in the 200 meters in a personal best time of 22.64. The time ranks No. 5 all-time at Alabama and gives Clark the third-, fifth- and sixth-fastest times in school history.
5,000 Meters – Freshman McKenzie Yanek was Alabama's top finisher in the 5,000 meters in a time of 17:08.55.
4x400-Meter Relay – The quartet of freshman Daija Lampkin, sophomores Symone Darius, Katie Funcheon and Takyera Roberson finished sixth in a season best time of 3:29.71 that ranks No. 3 in school history.
SEC Outdoor Track & Field Championships
Sunday, May 13, 2018
Knoxville, Tenn. (University of Tennessee)
Men
Final Team Standings
1. Florida- 111
2. Texas A&M- 100
3. Arkansas- 99
4. ALABAMA- 97.66
5. Georgia- 71
100 Meters – 6. Keitavious Walter, 10.18
200 Meters – 3. Keitavious Walter, 20.33 (PB) (TSB)
400 Meters – 6. Champion Allison, 45.71 (PB) (TSB)
1,500 Meters – 14. Connor Ferrentino, 3:53.46
5,000 Meters – 1. Vincent Kiprop 13:48.49 3. Alfred Chelanga, 13:53.70; 4. Gilbert Kigen, 13:58.01; DNF. Conner Thompson; DNF. J.P. Brinyark; DNF. Josh Short; DNF. Elliott Miller
110-Meter Hurdles – DNF. Ruebin Walters
4x100-Meter Relay – 9. Alabama (Alize Ford, Keitavious Walter, Ruebin Walters, Champion Allison), 39.97
High Jump – 1. Shelby McEwen, 7-4 ½ (2.25m) (PB) (TSB)
Pole Vault – 6. Jake Spotswood, 16-8 ¾ (5.10m); 7. Will Herrscher, 16-8 ¾ (5.10m); T-8. Ryan Lipe, 16-2 ¾ (4.95m); T-8. Henry Barrett, 16-2 ¾ (4.95m); NH. Jake Zalesky,;
Triple Jump – 6. Christian Edwards, 51-6 ½ (15.17m); 13. Michael Wiggins, 48-4 (14.73m)
Discus – 2. Kord Ferguson, 193-8 (59.05m); 4. Daniel Haugh, (186-2 (56.74m); 21. Jarez Parks,;
Women
Final Team Standings
1. Florida- 91
2. LSU- 88.5
3. Texas A&M- 79.5
4. Tennessee- 78
5. Ole Miss- 74
T-6. Arkansas 70
T-6. Kentucky- 70
8. Georgia- 81
9. ALABAMA- 53.5
100 Meters – 3. Tamara Clark, 11.02 (SR)
200 Meters – 3. Tamara Clark, 22.64
1,500 Meters – 8. Nicole Gardner, 4:29.91
5,000 Meters – 18. McKenzie Yanek, 17:08.55; 26. Elisabeth Danis, 17:40.42; 36. Kaitlin York, 18:09.98; 41. Caroline Brooks, 18:19.13; DNF. Caroline Barlow
400-Meter Hurdles – 5. Kaitlin Walker, 58.28
4x100-Meter Relay – 4. Alabama (Daija Lampkin, Tamara Clark, Symone Darius, Demi Washington), 43.27
4x400-Meter Relay – 6. Alabama (Daija Lampkin, Symone Darius, Katie Funcheon, Takyera Roberson), 3:29.71 (TSB)
High Jump – 9. Stacey Destin, 5-7 (1.70m)
Pole Vault – T-7. Britainy Smith, 13-3 ½ (4.05m); T-15. Colleen Clancy, 12-11 ½ (3.95m)
Triple Jump – 14. Jaimie Robinson, 42-4 ¼ (12.91m); 15. Tamara Moncrieffe, 41-3 (12.57m)
Discus – 4. Portious Warren, 171-9 (52.35m) (PB) (TSB); 10. Holly Julifs, 153-5 (46.76m)
Alabama Superlatives
School Records
Women
100 Meters – Tamara Clark, 11.02
Shot Put – Portious Warren, 56-11 ¼ (17.35m)
School Top-10 Performances
Men
High Jump – T-4. Shelby McEwen, 7-4 ½ (2.25m)
High Jump – T-7. Shelby McEwen, 7-3 ¼ (2.22m)
Shot Put – 6. Kord Ferguson, 62-10 ¾ (19.17m)
Hammer Throw – 2. Daniel Haugh, 237-11 (72.52m)
Hammer Throw – 5. Daniel Haugh, 234-1 (71.35m)
Hammer Throw – 6. Daniel Haugh, 233-8 (71.23m)
Women
100 Meters – 1. Tamara Clark, 11.02 (SR)
100 Meters – T-10. Tamara Clark, 11.23
200 Meters – 5. Tamara Clark, 22.64
200 Meters – 6. Tamara Clark, 22.80
200 Meters – 10. Daija Lampkin, 23.11
400-Meter Hurdles – 9. Kaitlin Walker, 58.28
4x100-Meter Relay – 7. Alabama (Daija Lampkin, Tamara Clark, Symone Darius, Demi Washington), 43.27
4x400-Meter Relay – 3. Alabama (Daija Lampkin, Symone Darius, Katie Funcheon, Takyera Roberson), 3:29.71
Shot Put – 1. Portious Warren, 56-11 ¼ (17.35m)
Shot Put – 3. Portious Warren, 55-10 ½ (17.03m)
Discus – T-6. Portious Warren, 171-9 (52.35m)
Discus – 8. Portious Warren, 170-1 (51.84m)
Personal Bests
Men
200 Meters – Keitavious Walter, 20.33
400 Meters – Champion Allison, 45.71
3,000-Meter Steeplechase – 11. Elliott Miller, 9:20.70
High Jump – Shelby McEwen, 7-4 ½ (2.25m)
Women
100 Meters – Tamara Clark, 11.02
200 Meters – Daija Lampkin, 23.11
400 Meters – Katie Funcheon, 53.48
10,000 Meters – Kaitlin York, 37:22.34
Long Jump –Kiara Williams, 20-10 (6.35m)
Shot Put – Portious Warren, 56-11 ¼ (17.35m)
Discus –Portious Warren, 171-9 (52.35m)
Team Season Bests
Men
200 Meters – Keitavious Walter, 20.33
400 Meters – Champion Allison, 45.71
3,000-Meter Steeplechase – 11. Elliott Miller, 9:20.70
Women
100 Meters – Tamara Clark, 11.02 (SR)
400 Meters – Katie Funcheon, 53.48
Long Jump –Kiara Williams, 20-10 (6.35m)
4x400-Meter Relay – Alabama (Daija Lampkin, Symone Darius, Katie Funcheon, Takyera Roberson), 3:29.71
PB – Personal Best
PSB – Personal Season Best
TSB – Team Season Best
SR – School Record
MR – Meet Record
FR – Facility Record
NM – No mark
NH – No height
DNF – Did not finish
DNS – Did not start
Q – Qualified for final with heat finish
q – Qualified for final with heat time
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Players Mentioned
