NEW ORLEANS – Following a tremendous
start to the 2012-13 season, the Christopher Newport men's indoor track &
field team earned the top spot in the first USTFCCCA South / Southeast Regional
Standings, while the women garnered second-place in their first ranking of the
year.
On the men's side, the Captains picked up 379.67 points, which
outdistanced second-place Lynchburg. Emory, Mary Washington, and
Birmingham-Southern rounded out the top-five. For the women, CNU earned 355.74
points, which places them just 14 shy of the top spot held by Emory. Roanoke,
Lynchburg, and Washington & Lee make up the rest of the top teams in the
standings.
The regional rankings are based on a mathematical formula
devised by the USTFCCCA, which showcases the teams that have the highest
potential of achieving the top spots in regional and national competitions. For
a detailed look at the methodology, please visit the Ranking Rationale section
of the USTFCCCA website at …
Ranking
Rationale.
Three members of the Christopher Newport men's squad hold
the top spot in the region in their respective events entering the weekend.
Joseph Taylor is the South's finest pole vaulter after
clearing 4.46 meters at the Holiday Open in December. Additionally,
Dominique Torres holds the top distance in the triple
jump with a leap of 14-meters, while
Brian Strickland
has the highest heptathlon score after posting a mark of 3,300 last weekend at
the Captains Invitational.
Along with the Regional leaders,
Robert Mayes has the second-fastest 400-meter time, while
Daulton Teaford sits in third in the 60-meter dash. The
two standouts also teamed with
Matt Gaddy and
Nathan Joyce to notch the region's second-best 4x400
performance.
Brian Huffman
also sits in third in the mile, while freshman
Cameron Calfee ranks fifth in the high jump.
The
women are currently led by their record-breaking distance medley relay team,
which ranks first in the region. On Sunday,
Lydia Cromwell,
Jessica
McClelland,
Melissa Rizor,
and
Graciela Slyer combined to break the school
record with a time of 12:53.16 in the event. Not only did that set the new CNU
standard, but it is currently 24 seconds faster than any other foursome in the
South / Southeast Region.
Individually,
Kalee Hammerton stands second in the pole vault with a
height of 3.15 meters, while
Enuma Ezenwa is
also second in the pentathlon after recording a score of 2,862. Rizor, who
helped lead the relay squad, also sits third in the mile, while
Fredsal Walker holds the same spot in the 60-meter hurdle
rankings.
Christopher Newport will return to action on Friday when the
Captains kick off the first day of the Liberty Invitational in Lynchburg,
Va.
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