University of North Florida
Jimmy Carnes Invitational
Shepherd Shatters School Record as Men’s Track Wraps Up Solid Opener
1/30/2011 8:40:36 PM | Men's Track
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Led by freshman David Shepherd's school record in the pole vault, the University of North Florida men's track and field team concluded a successful first weekend of indoor competition at the Jimmy Carnes Invitational on Saturday at the Stephen O'Connell Center.
“It was a good day,” head coach Mark VanAlstyne said. “We had lots of school records and lots of wins and should have several conference leaders once those are update after the weekend. This may have been the best opening meet we've ever had. I'm proud of them, but we're on a mission. We've got to get back to work and continue to get ready for the conference championships.”
Shepherd opened up his collegiate campaign as an Osprey in impressive fashion, shattering the pole vault school record of 14-1 1/4 with a lifetime-best clearance of 15-9 to finish second overall. The Plantation, Fla., native is likely now atop the A-Sun standings with the mark as the best jump as of Jan. 29 was 15-3.
Several North Florida competitors set personal-bests as well in their respective events. Sophomore James Post claimed the mile individual title with a time of 4:13.31, lowering his previous best by nearly three seconds. Junior Cameron Dickerson followed in second with a career-best time of 4:13.99, while freshman Kosta Fotopoulos added a top-five finish with a time of 4:24.22 (fifth).
The Ospreys had five of seven athletes set personal-bests in the 3,000 meters led by senior Will Pearce taking top honors with a career-best time of 8:33.81. Sophomore Chase Nelson finished eighth with a time of 8:50.39.
In the 400 meters, sophomore Aaron Tillman clocked a personal-best time of 50.71 to cross the line in fifth.
The distance medley relay squad of Dickerson, Tillman, Post and Pearce took home the individual title with a combined time of 10:27.77.
The Ospreys will have one week of training before returning to competition, Feb. 11-12, at the Tiger Paw Classic in Clemson, S.C.
Jimmy Carnes Invitational – Jan. 29-30, 2011
Gainesville, Fla. – Stephen O'Connell Center
North Florida Men's Results (All Weekend)
200m:
23. Nick Squillace – 23.23!
400m:
5. Aaron Tillman – 50.71!
16. Nick Squillace – 51.55
800m:
8. Justin Mims – 2:01.56!
Mile:
1. James Post – 4:13.31!
2. Cameron Dickerson – 4:13.99!
5. Kosta Fotopoulos – 4:24.22
3,000m:
1. Will Pearce – 8:33.81!
8. Chase Nelson – 8:50.39!
11. Mike Strasser – 8:52.14!
16. Drew Rowland – 9:03.52!
17. Chris Haynes – 9:10.45!
23. Gilbert Vazquez – 9:36.24
24. Josh Brown – 9:39.30
Pole Vault:
2. David Shepherd – 15-9SR!
NM – Ryan L'Heureux
NM – Noah Thompson
DMR:
1. Cameron Dickerson, Aaron Tillman, James Post, Will Pearce – 10:27.77
! - Personal-best; * - Season-best; q - Advanced to next round; DQ - Disqualified; DNF Did not finish; DNS – Did not start; NM - No mark; FS - False start; SR - School record
