Florida Atlantic University Athletics
Florida Atlantic
Disney World Invite
Jones Breaks School Mark in High Jump to Lead Owls
3/25/2006 12:00:00 AM | Track and Field
March 25, 2006
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FL -- Jian Jones had never concentrated on the high jump in her Florida Atlantic University women's track and field career, and just a few attempts in, she owns the program record.
Jones finished just 1.75 inches behind the event champion at the Disney Invitational this past weekend, leaping 5-7. She finished seventh overall, and just missed an NCAA Regional Qualifying mark. Jones also finished 18th in the 100m (12.29 seconds) and 13th in the long jump (17-1.50).
"One of the biggest surprises in the outdoor season has been Jian in the high jump. She hadn't tried the event much at all in her career, and she's come out and performed extremely well. Her performance this weekend shows the hard work she's put in, and her success has certainly been unexpected but exciting," he said.
Other top finishers include Malika Clary, who finished third in the 200m with a time of 24.31 seconds, and Raynell Hagberg, who posted a time of 2:10.85 in the 800m, earning her a second-place finish.
The Owls' 4x100m relay team also ran well, picking up a victory with a time of 46.79 seconds.
The 4x200m relay team also set a new school record, finishing second in a time of 1:38.65.
Personal-best performances include Ashley Wilcox in the 1,500m and Antoinette Foster in the 3,000m steeplechase, along Allison Wilcox and Barbara Fronrath in the 5,000m. Clary and Marilyn Stephens also posted personal-bests in the 100m, while Stephens added a new PR in the 400m. Krystena Castro also improved her top discus mark.
With the Atlantic Sun Championships drawing closer by the day, Smolka is pleased with his team's progress to this point in its final outdoor A-Sun campaign.
"I'm very happy with where we are. We are continuing to improve and get faster every week. The workload that we are putting on them in practice is very high, and even with that, the performances are improving week by week. It looks like we are peaking at the right time. With another strong performance next weekend, we'll be on the right track," Smolka said.
Unfortunately, not all news is good news for FAU. Christina Dutko was injured just prior to the 800m, stumbling and landing awkwardly.
"She's going to miss a few weeks. It was a fluke accident. She was jogging up to the start line and tripped. She went to put her hand down in a weird way and the shoulder popped out," Smolka said.
The Owls will travel to the University of Florida in Gainesville, FL on April 1, in what will be their final tune-up before the A-Sun Championship on April 14-15.
"I'd like to see a few season bests next weekend, and see some people start to get comfortable in their events in our final warm-up, before we pull back a bit and rest up for the A-Sun Championship," Smolka said.
100m
8. Malika Clary 11.97
11. Marilyn Stephens 12.11
18. Jian Jones 12.29
200m
3. Malika Clary 24.31
9. Marilyn Stephens 25.09
14. Brandi Prather 25.60
27. Krystal McCarty 26.90
400m
5. Marilyn Stephens 55.40
13. Brandi Prather 57.75
18. Brittany Vollmer 1:03.27
21. Malika Pottinger 1:05.03
24. Krystal McCarty 1:06.85
800m
2. Raynell Hagberg 2:10.85
8. Linn Modin 2:25.21
11. Ashley Wilcox 2:28.15
16. Malika Pottinger 2:34.02
1,500m
5. Christina Dutko 4:52.81
10. Linn Modin 4:59.36
12. Ashley Wilcox 5:05.01
5,000m
9. Monika Grabowiecka 18:54.60
10. Allison Wilcox 18:58.42
13. Barbara Fronrath 20:19.35
400m Hurdles
6. Lindsay Glover 1:03.09
16. Brittany Vollmer 1:14.91
3,000m Steeplechase
4. Antoinette Foster 12:45.07
4x100m Relay
1. FAU 46.79
4x200m Relay
2. FAU 1:38.65
4x400m Relay
4. 3:54.29
Sprint Medley
5. FAU 4:29
High Jump
7. Jian Jones 1.70m (5-7)
Pole Vault
-. Myra Remaly NH
Long Jump
13. Jian Jones 5.22m (17-01.50)
Shot Put
9. Krystena Castro 12.29m (40-04.00)
16. Nicole Bronson 8.08m (26-06.25)
Discus Throw
8. Krystena Castro 40.26m (132-01)
18. Nicole Bronson 23.02m (75-06)
