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April 2, 2006
Virginia All-American Tomika Ferguson set the school record in the triple jump in her first outdoor competition of the season, fresh off her All-American performance indoors last month. Her jump of 13.08m (42′ 11″) tied the mark she set last year, but that was a wind-aided jump and today’s leap set her past Dana Boone’s 42′ 9.75″ from 1990. Ferguson also qualified for the East Regional meet with her performance, along with Erin Crawford (400IH), Billie Jo Grant (shot), Yemi Ayeni (discus), and the women’s 4x400m relay team.
Ayeni had another phenomenal week, setting a season best mark of 54.19m (177′ 9″), which moved him up to the No. 4 position all-time in the discus in Virginia history as well as improved his qualifying position for the East Regional meet. He finished fourth at the meet and was the top rookie in the event. Billie Jo Grant’s 14.57m (47′ 9.75″) in the shot put is her best mark of the year and also qualified her for the East Regional meet. She took third in the meet today, while Ferguson’s triple jump earned her the silver medal.
Crawford ran regional qualifying marks in both the 400IH (58.51) and then anchored the 4x400m team that ran a 3:41.53, which qualified Virginia for the regional meet in that event. Joining Crawford on that team were Janne’a Bridgeford ran an 11.82 in the 100m, which moved her up to the No. 8 position all-time at Virginia in the dash with her best run in school history. Bridgeford also ran a season-best in the 200m, as did Sara Casscells in the 800m run. Rachel Marks tied the Virginia season-best mark in the high jump with her 1.70m (5′ 7″).
Reuben Jones set a personal best mark in the 100m by .01, running a 10.64, lowering his No. 5 all-time mark slightly. Jordan Orr ran a season-best 1:51.52 in the 800m, just edging teammate Michael Hagos (1:53.43) to take fourth overall.
WOMEN: 100m: Bridgeford, 11.82; Wise, 12.05; Ferguson, 12.37; Tiffany Roberts, 12.48; 200m: Bridgeford, 24.60; Wise, 24.70; Ashley Gore, 25.54; Lauren Echko, 26.25; 400m: Gore, 55.76; 800m: Casscells, 2:15.80; Danielle Light, 2:16.17; 100HH: Echko, 14.59; Keshia Ashe, 14.84; 400IH: Crawford, 58.51, RQ, 3rd; Ashe, 1:04.03; 4x400m: 3:41.53, RQ, 6th; HJ: Marks, 1.70m (5′ 7″), 6th; Meggie Schuelke, 1.65m (5′ 5″); PV: Kathryn Pettine, 3.20m (10′ 6″); LJ: Marks, 5.50m (18′ .5″); Ferguson, 5.48m (17′ 11.75″), Katie Tershel, 5.36m (17′ 7″); TJ: Ferguson, 13.08m (42′ 11″), 2nd, RQ, School Record; Tershel, 11.73m (38′ 6″); SP: Grant, 14.57m (47′ 9.75), 3rd, RQ; Disc: Grant, 46.14m (151′ 4″);Amy Bilmanis, 46.04m (151′ 0″); Hammer: Bilmanis, 43.66m (143′ 3″); 4x400m: 3:41.53, RQ
MEN: 100m: Reuben Jones, 10.64; 200m: Jones, 22.57; 800m: Orr, 1:51.52, 4th; Hagos, 1:53.43; PV: David Lewis, 4.75m (15′ 7″); SP: Ayeni, 15.22m (49′ 11.25″); Disc: Ayeni, 54.19m (177′ 9), RQ, 4th;