Big USF meet starts today

[Papa_Bull]

Big USF meet starts today

By PETE YOUNG, Times Staff Writer

Published April 2, 2004

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TAMPA - In sum, it's the greatest track and field event ever on the South Florida campus.

"There's no question this is the best meet we've ever had," USF coach Greg Thiel said. "It's really turning into a big meet."

A mix of top college teams, including Michigan, Alabama and the Florida women, and top-flight Olympic contenders competing unattached will run, jump and throw today and Saturday.

Among the featured athletes are four-time NCAA and two-time U.S. champion long jumper Savante Stringfellow, whose career best is 27 feet, 111/2 inches.

The showcase events include the women's hammer throw (approximately 5 p.m. today), which features an Olympic favorite in UF graduate Erin Gilreath and as many as five of the top eight finishers in the NCAA indoor championships last month, including USF's Dayana Octavien.

The women's 400 meters (approximately 7:30 p.m. Saturday) includes former UF star Anita Howard, and USF standout Amber Delpino has the nation's third-fastest time this year, 57.75, in the women's 400-meter hurdles (approximately 8:25 p.m. Saturday).

USF's Jimmy Baxter is the favorite in the men's high jump. Baxter has won three straight meets and set a career best of 7-5 at this event last year.

"He's doing very well. He's ready to bang out a big one," Thiel said.

Thiel said the women's 800 meters (approximately 8 p.m. Saturday) and men's pole vault (4 p.m. Saturday) have superb fields, and he hopes the meet continues to grow. Nineteen schools will be at USF today, and Ohio State has committed for next year.

"This is one we hope to build on," Thiel said. "We think we've found a niche a little bit (in the first weekend in April)."

The field events start at 4 p.m. today and 3 Saturday. The running events begin at 6:30 tonight and 6 Saturday.

"We found that a lot of the out-of-town teams were staying over Saturday night, so why not do a twilight meet?" Thiel said. "It's beautiful here at twilight and we'll have some really fast times."

[bulls96go]

wtg baxter hope you make it to the olympics and make usf proud

leaving bball may yet turn out to be a great decision

[smazza]

track stars=football stars

[Papa_Bull]

track stars=football stars

USF Football player C J Lewis finished 10th in the 100 meter preliminary round with a time of 10.89. He just missed out on making it into the finals.

http://isis.fastmail.usf.edu/usf-athletics/Sports/menstrack/2004/04stats/USF04All.htm

[smazza]

on your marks

get set

go