CSU Teams Finish Fourth at Emory Invitational

Columbus, Ga. -- The CSU track teams had another successful outing over the weekend at the Emory Invitational in Atlanta. Both the women's and men's teams finished fourth in the event, continuing a successful start to the first season of competition for the school.

The women's team posted a team total of 91 point with 5 first place finishes. Shan Crawford led the way by being high scorer in the event. She posted wins in the 100 meters (12.07), the 200 meters (24.87), the long jump (5.3 meters), the triple jump (10.85 meters) and she ran the lead leg of the winning 4X100 relay team (49.29). Her 100 meters mark of 12.07 was fast enough to make the provisional qualifying time for the NCAA nationals. Other members of the winning 4 X 100 team were Raquisha Givens, Ibukun Awoyale, and LaQuita Daniels.

Naomi Tanui took 2nd in the 5000 meter run with a time 18:07, while Whitney Ryals took second in the javelin with a distance of 35.10 meters.

The  CSU men's team posted 84 points with 5 first place finishes. Jonathan Jones led the way with 26.5 points for the Cougars. He took first in the triple jump with a jump of 13.98 meters, 2nd in the long jump (6.44 meters), 2nd in the high jump (1.93 meters) and ran the first leg for the 3rd place 4X100 relay team which posted a time of 43.49. Also on that team were Gerald Chichester, Blair Patterson and Jeremy Williams.

Williams took 1st in the 100 meters with a time of 11.15 and 2nd in the 200 with a time of 22.29. Teammate Nicholas Kering had a pair of 1st place finishes in the 10,000 meter run with a time of 31:43.13 and the 5000 meter run with a time of 15:01.7. Meshack Koyiaki took 1st in the 800 with a time of 1:54.58 and 2nd in the 1500 with a time of 3:58.90.

The CSU teams return to Atlanta next Friday and Saturday (March 26-27) for the Emory Classic. The Cougars will host a tri-meet with Clayton State and Tuskegee on March 30 at the Evilsizer Track Complex in Smiths Station.