Senior Joel Gaddy competed in both the long jump and triple jump. (Photo: ASU Athletics) W. Track, at East Tennessee Niswonger Meet, Jan. 18-19: Game statistics M. Track, at East Tennessee Niswonger Meet, Jan. 18-19: Game statistics

Mountaineers Post Strong Performances at ETSU Niswonger Invitational
by Appalachian Sports Information

January 19, 2008 - JOHNSON CITY, TENN. In just their second meet of the season, the Appalachian Track and Field team finished the second day of events at the East Tennessee Niswonger Meet on a high note. Although no team scoring took place, numerous Mountaineers had strong showings in their respective events.

On the men’s side, the Apps had five men place in the top ten in the 5000m run. Leading the way was senior Brian Deal, notching a third place finish with a time of 15:07.61. Right on the heel’s of Deal were his four teammates, Asmeron Desta, Phil Mitchell, Ryan O’Keefe and Brendon Helms, who all grabbed the fifth through eight spots.

Sophomore Nick O’Keefe also did well in the distance events, as he finished seventh in the mile run with a time of 4:29, while freshman Brooks Forsyth placed 11th.

In the 3000m run, sophomore Josh Houser finished seventh with a time of 8:43.

Veterans Ricky Harris and Joel Gaddy led the Mountaineers in the long jump, earning the third and fourth spots. Harris, who has already gotten a provisional bid this season in the event, leapt 24-04.50, Gaddy was right behind him with a jump of 23-06.75. Freshman Phillip Bush finished seventh, with junior Mark Sturgis grabbing the ninth place spot.

Gaddy and Sturgis also were stellar in the triple jump, as Gaddy finished fourth in his flight with a jump of 49-01.00 and Sturgis placed fifth, jumping 48-10.75.

Appalachian also had four athletes compete in the pole vault, with freshman Mike Wilson placing 13th with a vault of 14-06.00, while teammates Ryan Twiford, Justin Hunnicutt and Matt Boruff notched the 16-18 spots.

Senior Wes Kiser posted a solid showing in shot put, finishing fourth with a throw of 50-10.25, while freshman Jerod Gardner placed 11th.

The Mountaineer women were impressive as well throughout the day.

In the 3000m run, senior Jen Povick finished fourth with a time of 10:23.48. while teammates Hannah Parks and Charlotte Walsh placed sixth and seventh, respectively.

Appalachian also did well in the other two distance events, as senior Kala Robertson took home fifth in the 1 mile run, and senior Anna Baker grabbed ninth place, along with junior Ashley Norris notching a 12th place finish in the 5000m run.

Sophomore Ashley McKiver finished strong in the 60m dash, as she placed tenth with a time of 7.80.

Coming off a solid performance from Friday’s action, Danielle Thorpe earned the runner-up spot in the triple jump with a jump of 40-11.00 while standout Vonteena Knotts posted a fourth place finish, jumping 40-07.75. Thorpe and Knotts also competed in the long jump, with Thorpe jumping 19-03.25 and Knotts 18-11.25 in their respective flights.

Rounding out the meet, Shea Snow finished third in the pole vault, while Lilly Tallent grabbed a third place finish in the shot put in her flight and Adrienne Alexander threw 44-09.50, good enough to earn third in the weight throw.

The Mountaineers will continue the 2008 campaign next weekend, January 25-26, as the team heads to Clemson, S.C. to compete in the Clemson Multi-Event Meet.