April 26, 2007
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - The TCU track and field team opened the renowned Penn Relays with a bang on Thursday by posting five NCAA regional qualifying marks, including a school record in the 400-meter hurdles by Kishelle Paul.
After former TCU hurdler Julie Curtis set the school record in the 400-meter hurdles exactly a year ago from Friday (April 27, 2006) at the Penn Relays, Curtis' record was topped by Paul, who placed third in the first heat with an NCAA regional qualifying mark of 58.18. Paul's time surpassed Curtis' mark of 59.36.
Not to be overshadowed by Paul's performance, Meaghan Peoples also posted an NCAA regional qualifying mark in the 400-meter hurdles with a personal-best time of 1:00.39 to place fifth in the second heat.
Earning convincing victories were both the women's 4x100 and 4x400 relay teams, which each won their heat and earned regional qualifying marks.
TCU's 4x400 relay team of Marquita Davis, Deborah Jones, Paul and Nathandra John notched the second-fastest time of the day en route to winning heat No. 1 with an NCAA regional qualifying time of 3:36.10. TCU's time was only topped by LSU, who finished in a time of 3:32.60. Leading TCU in the heat was Deborah Jones, who posted the fastest split of the day with a clocked time of 51.7.
In the women's 4x100 relay, the Flyin' Frogs relay team of Kishelle Paul, Virgil Hodge, Jamee Jones and Deborah Jones posted the fourth-fastest time of the day as they crossed the line in a time of 44.95 to win the heat No. 5. Only LSU, Auburn and South Carolina had quicker times than the Frogs.
Freshman
Festus Kigen capped TCU's day in the 5,000 meters by placing second in the second heat of the men's 5,000 meters with a personal-best time of 14:21.80. Kigen was edged by Army's Jon Anderson, who posted a time of 14:21.17.
Competing in the women's Olympic Development 5000 meters, McKale Davis posted a personal-best time of 17:20.79. Her time placed her 20th out of 32 runners.
In the field, Candis Kelley earned her fifth regional qualifying mark in five outdoor meets this season with a personal-best toss of 15.59 meters to place fourth in the shot put. Her previous career best was a throw of 15.40 meters in 2006.
Both JimAnne Hejny and Neidra Covington competed in the long jump, with Hejny placing ninth and Covington finishing 15th. Hejny had a leap of 5.79 meters, while Covington's top jump was 5.46 meters.
TCU will continue competition at the Penn Relays on Friday, beginning with Clint Renfro competing in the 400-meter hurdles at 8 a.m. CT.
