2008 Woodie Awards
Junior runner sets record at Kent State Tune-Up
By Matt Matusek
Rocket Staff Writer
Issue date: 2/24/06 Section: Sports
Janiece Rash set a school record in the women's 55-meter dash to headline Slippery Rock University's efforts at the Kent Tune-Up Meet Saturday.
Rash eclipsed the old record by .05 seconds, running the event in 7.22. Stacey Roberts set the previous time (7.27) in 1996.
Even though the time was good enough for a school record, Rash finished in third place in the event. But Rash did reach the NCAA provisional qualifying mark, giving her a chance to compete in the national championship meet in March.
"Rash has been very consistent all year, along with the other female runners," coach John Papa said.
Rash is currently nursing a strained hamstring that she suffered last week.
"She's feeling OK right now, barring any unforeseen circumstances, she should be ready to go," Papa said.
Jill Rekich, Melissa Sopher, Alison Gardner, and Vera McDaniel made up the winning 4x400 relay team. They combined for a first-place time of 3:55.92, and beat the old school record of 3:57.90 in the process.
Rekich, Sopher, Andi Rose, and Kara Lehman were the foursome that set the old record in 2004.
McDaniel also placed third in the 200-meter dash with a time of 25.37, and finished sixth in the 55-meter dash with a time of 7.36. Sopher finished eighth in the 400-meter dash.
On the men's side, Shayne Cooper earned a provisional berth in the national championship meet, running a 7.66 in the 55-meter dash, which was also good enough for fourth-place.
Louise O'Rourke earned a provisional berth in the nationals with a 5-5 leap in the women's high jump. Jenny Kirsch took home fourth-place in the women's long jump with a leap of 17-0.
SRU has come up with consecutive solid performances, and they hope to continue their momentum into the final meets of the indoor season.
"We feel comfortable against the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference teams. We've seen most of them play, and they know what we have to offer and vice versa," Papa said.
Next up for the Rock is a trip to East Stroudsburg University, where they will compete in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Indoor Championships; the final event before the NCAA national championships meet.
"We have a very good chance to get Hansen and Rose in the nationals, and hopefully over this weekend we'll be able to get a few more players into the national meet," Papa said.
However, SRU isn't only thinking about the nationals, they are focusing on the PSACs first.
"If everything goes well, I could see the women finishing first or second, and the men have a chance to finish in the top two as well," Papa said.
Rash eclipsed the old record by .05 seconds, running the event in 7.22. Stacey Roberts set the previous time (7.27) in 1996.
Even though the time was good enough for a school record, Rash finished in third place in the event. But Rash did reach the NCAA provisional qualifying mark, giving her a chance to compete in the national championship meet in March.
"Rash has been very consistent all year, along with the other female runners," coach John Papa said.
Rash is currently nursing a strained hamstring that she suffered last week.
"She's feeling OK right now, barring any unforeseen circumstances, she should be ready to go," Papa said.
Jill Rekich, Melissa Sopher, Alison Gardner, and Vera McDaniel made up the winning 4x400 relay team. They combined for a first-place time of 3:55.92, and beat the old school record of 3:57.90 in the process.
Rekich, Sopher, Andi Rose, and Kara Lehman were the foursome that set the old record in 2004.
McDaniel also placed third in the 200-meter dash with a time of 25.37, and finished sixth in the 55-meter dash with a time of 7.36. Sopher finished eighth in the 400-meter dash.
On the men's side, Shayne Cooper earned a provisional berth in the national championship meet, running a 7.66 in the 55-meter dash, which was also good enough for fourth-place.
Louise O'Rourke earned a provisional berth in the nationals with a 5-5 leap in the women's high jump. Jenny Kirsch took home fourth-place in the women's long jump with a leap of 17-0.
SRU has come up with consecutive solid performances, and they hope to continue their momentum into the final meets of the indoor season.
"We feel comfortable against the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference teams. We've seen most of them play, and they know what we have to offer and vice versa," Papa said.
Next up for the Rock is a trip to East Stroudsburg University, where they will compete in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Indoor Championships; the final event before the NCAA national championships meet.
"We have a very good chance to get Hansen and Rose in the nationals, and hopefully over this weekend we'll be able to get a few more players into the national meet," Papa said.
However, SRU isn't only thinking about the nationals, they are focusing on the PSACs first.
"If everything goes well, I could see the women finishing first or second, and the men have a chance to finish in the top two as well," Papa said.
