Florida Gators
NCAA Championships-Day 3
Gator Track Teams Among Top Three, One NCAA Champ
Saturday, June 1, 2002 | Track and Field
The third day of the NCAA Track and Field Championships saw both Gator track teams move into contention for trophies and also saw sophomore Rickey Harris won his second career NCAA Championship. The Gators have a total of 19 points after the third day and stand in second place after eight scored events. The Gator women's team is in third place with 24 points after 12 scored events.
UF sets up both teams for top four finishes after tomorrow's final day. The Gator men' team will have the finals of the 400 meters, the 4x400m relay and two competitors in the high jump. The Gator women's team has the finals of the shot put and the 200 meters.
"We had an incredible day today," Head coach Doug Brown said. "Three guys ran great personal records in finals and we had a national champion. We set up for tomorrow with the finals of the 400m, the 4x400m and the high jump. We're right there."
Harris claimed his second ever NCAA championship in a school record time of 48.16, beating the old school record of 48.79 by Torrance Zellner in 1993. The time ranks Harris as the third fastest in the world this season and is the third fastest time ever in the finals of the NCAA Championship meet.
Harris stayed with the field until the seventh hurdle before he and LSU's Leroy Colquhoun began to make a move. Bennie Brazell, also of LSU joined Harris and Colquhoun in the stretch run and began to sprint for the finish. Colquhoun tripped over the final hurdle as Harris out ran Brazell to the line. Harris' time of 48.16 is the eighth fastest in meet history while Brazell was second in 48.80. Auburn's Fred Sharpe was third for a one-two-three SEC finish.
"My coach [UF sprint coach Mike Holloway] always tells me to make sure the first couple of hurdles are good to set me up for the rest of the race," Harris said following the win. "I felt good after the third hurdle and just went from there. As I came off the turn [at the 300-meter mark] my sprinter's speed took over. I ran the race that he and I mapped out. I'm very happy with the time.
"I actually sprinted the first 200 meters. I usually just jog it and play around. This is the final and this is the national meet. I can't play around with these guys. I knew I had to get out and I did and ran the whole way."
Harris will attempt to win the 400m dash tomorrow night, which would be a first in NCAA History if he would win both events.
In the 3,000m steeplechase, Chris Duncan ran Florida's second school record of the evening. Duncan finished second in a time of 8:38.59. He how has his hand in two school records this season, also running the anchor leg of the distance medley relay team during the indoor season.
"I'm on top of the world right now about the school record," Duncan said. "I ran my own race. I started in the back, snuck up on them about half way through and gave them hell on the last lap."
Less than 45 minutes after Harris won his title, Moise Joseph sped to the second fastest time in Florida history in the 800m. Joseph was third in the final with a time of 1:54.74 and now trails only Mark Everett on the UF list. Joseph finished behind South Carolina's Otukile Lekote who defended his 2001 championship in a stadium record time of 1:45.17 and Sam Burley of Penn (1:45.39).
The women's 800m final featured two Gators. Melissa DeLeon, who set a personal best of 2:04.04 in the preliminaries, was fourth in the race with a time of 2:05.69. Kristina Bratton was sixth in the race with a time of 2:06.15. Together the duo scored eight points for the Gators.
The first event of the day saw the women's 4x100m relay team rally from the first lane to finish in fourth place with a seasonal best time of 44.07. Amber Robinson, Ebony Shotwell, Keyon Soley and Yolanda Thompson had the final qualifying time of the finals and was given the slowest lane on the track. Thompson was in third at the final exchange but ran well down the final 100m for the fourth-place finish.
Rachel Longfors finished seventh in the discus throw to earn the first All-America award of her career. She had a mark of 174-4 for a personal best. LaQuanda Cotton had a mark of 167-0 and did not score.
We had a good third day today," Gator women's coach Tom Jones said. "I'm really proud of the 4x100 relay team. They ran a spectacular race for only running together once before today.
"We're in good shape for tomorrow. Amber runs well in the 200 meters and Candice comes through in the shot put we could score over 30 points for the meet."
Florida's NCAA Champion
Rickey Harris-Men's 400m hurdles (48.16)
Florida All-Americans (12 Athletes, 9 Honors)
Men (3 Athletes 3 Honors): Taylor Jacobs-200m (20.95, 13th overall, eighth American); Moise Joseph-800m (1:45.74); Chris Duncan-3,000m Steeplechase (8:38.59)
Women (9 Athletes, 6 Honors): Candice Scott-Hammer Throw (63.09m/207-0, fifth); Keyon Soley-Long Jump (6.39 m/20-11.75); 4x100m relay (Amber Robinson, Ebony Shotwell, Keyon Soley, Yolanda Thompson)-44.07; Rachel Longfors-Discus (53.15m/174-4); Melissa DeLeon-800m (2:05.69); Kristina Bratton-800m (2:06.15)
Florida's Events Today:
Men's 400m Hurdles FINAL
Rickey Harris-48.16, First
University of Florida Record
Third Fastest Time in the World in 2002
Eighth Fastest Time Ever at the NCAA Meet
Third Fastest Time in the Finals at the NCAA Meet
Men's 800m FINAL
Moise Joseph-1:45.74, 3rd
Second Fastest Time in Florida History
Men's 3,000m Steeplechase FINAL
Chris Duncan-8:38.59, 6th
University of Florida Record
Men's Discus FINAL
Ryan McIntyre-190-4/58.02 meters, 10th
Women's 800m FINAL
Kristina Bratton-2:05.69, Fourth
Melissa DeLeon-2:06.15, Sixth
Women's 4x100m Relay FINAL
Florida (Amber Robinson, Ebony Shtowell, Keyon Soley, Yolanda Thompson)-44.07, 4th
Women's Discus FINAL
Rachel Longfors-174-4/53.15 meters, seventh
LaQuanda Cotton-167-0/50.91 meters, did not score
Men's Top 10 Team Scored (after 10 scored events)
1. LSU, 39
2. FLORIDA, 19
2. South Carolina, 19
4. Texas, 18
4. Tennessee, 18
6. Georgia, 15
7. Eastern Michigan, 14
8. Texas-El Paso, 12
9. Auburn, 11
9. Pennsylvania, 11
Women's Top 10 Team Scored (after 12 scored events)
1. UCLA, 44
2. South Carolina, 40
3. FLORIDA, 24
4. Southern California, 19
5. Washington State, 16
5. N.C. State, 16
5. Nebraska, 16
8. Stanford, 15
9. Kansas State, 13
9. Colorado, 13
End of Report
