TicketsMarch 25, 2010
CINCINNATI - The University of Cincinnati men's and women's track and field teams will be heading to three different destinations this weekend to compete in the Alabama Relays in Tuscaloosa, Ala., the Weems Baskin Relays in Columbia, S.C., and the Raleigh Relays in Raleigh, N.C.
Freshman Brandon Smith is the lone Bearcat down at the Alabama Relays as he will compete in the decathlon, while UC's sprinters, jumpers, and throwers will be heading to the Weems Baskin Relays. Cincinnati's distance group is making the trek down to the Raleigh Relays.
Last weekend, Cincinnati started its outdoor season hosting the Early Bird Relays. The men's squad took first-place honors, while the women's team finished in second place, 6.5 points behind the meet champion the University of Dayton.
The highlight of the event came from sophomore Brian Zimmerman, who shattered his own school record in the javelin. Zimmerman, who previously held the school record at 204', increased his record mark to 225' 11-3/4". Zimmerman's mark is now ranked second in the U.S., a mark which would have placed eighth in last year's NCAA Championships.
Additionally, the men's squad had seven individual winners and six relay winners. Other individual winners included Eric Finan, who came from way behind for the victory in the 5,000m (14:30.42), Brandon Fitch in the high jump (6' 8"), Michael Rutherford in the 800m (1:52.04), Allen Moore in the 400m (54.91), and Elliot Vocke in the pole vault (15' 5").
On the women's side, Jenna Heaton started her outdoor campaign in the same fashion she finished her indoor season, running a huge PR in the 800m and winning the race by a big margin. Her time ranks as the eighth-fastest in school history.
Natasha Burse was a triple-event winner with triumphs in the 100m, 200m, and 4x400m. Kathy Klump triumphed in the 400m, while Kayla Dunn and Chelsea Gerken won the pole vault and javelin, respectively.
The women's team had 13 athletes post 15 BIG EAST qualifying marks.
For a complete recap of the weekend's track meets, stay tuned to www.GoBEARCATS.com.