Texas Tech Twilight Invitational Results
LUBBOCK, Texas (4/9/09) Even 40 mph winds and a three-hour delay could not slow down the North Texas women’s track team Thursday evening in Lubbock at the Texas Tech Twilight Invitational. The Mean Green women racked up five NCAA Regional qualifying marks as they met the half way mark of the 2009 outdoor season.
“I was really proud of our kids for keeping focused through all the delays,” North Texas head coach Rick Watkins said. “Once the winds calmed down we had a great meet.”
Junior sprinter Ciara Smith was responsible for two of those marks, finishing first in the 200-meter dash with a 23.95 finish and second place in the 400-meter dash in a time of 53.59. Thursday marked the first time this season that Smith, a 2008 all-region and all-conference performer, set individual qualifying times.
Senior sprinter Lauren Wiggins, a Carrollton, Texas native, also had a first place finish in the 100-meter hurdles and set an NCAA Regional qualifying mark with a 13.66 finish. Wiggins holds the school record in the event when she ran a 13.52 last season.
The women gained the other two qualifying marks in the field events. Junior Ashley Austin used a season-best jump of 19-09.75 to win first place in the long jump and senior Alana Tyler returned to action after missing the Texas Relays due to illness to finish second in the hammer throw with a heave of 180-05.
The Mean Green also received a first place performance from junior pole vaulter Christal Brewster. The Graham, Texas native set a season-best mark of 12-01.50 to take top honors Thursday.
On the men’s side freshman sprinter Keyth Talley, performing in the first 400-meter dash of his career, finished third with a time of 47.47.
Overall NT had four first place finishes and 12 in the top three.
North Texas will now get eight days of rest before they participate in the Baylor Michael Johnson Open on April 18.
