Feb. 8, 2013
SEATTLE, Wash. - UC Davis standout sprinter Melanise Chapman broke her own school record in the 200-meter dash on Friday while finishing fourth at the Husky Indoor Classic, crossing in 24.63 seconds.
Veronica Smart broke into the Aggies' all-time top five in the weight throw, leading the field contingent on Friday night.
Chapman's time smashed her previous best of 24.80 set on the same track at Dempsey Indoor last month. Teammates Ashley Marshall and Cekarri Nixon became the second and third Aggies in school history, respectively, to go below the 25-second barrier with strong races as well. Marshall placed sixth in 24.94 while Nixon tied for eighth in 24.99, placing them in the two spots right behind Chapman on the school's all-time list.
The pair led a strong sprint performance at the meet which features some of the top NCAA Div. I competition in the country. Leslie Reed added a personal-best as well, taking 12th place in 25.09, well under her previous best of 25.50 which she had achieved three other times. It solidified her No. 5 spot on the all-time list.
"Our seven women in the 200 again kicked off the meet in fine fashion," said Aggie coach Drew Wartenburg. "Several indoor PR's and a school record hours after touching down (from air travel) demonstrate a good ability to focus and produce on short notice."
Smart continued UC Davis' good showing with her 18th-place finish in the weight throw. Her mark of 16 meters (52 feet, 6 inches) puts her fourth on the all-time list. Danielle Steffen tied for sixth in her section of the pole vault, clearing 3.47 meters (11-4.5).
The meet continues on Saturday.
UNIV. OF WASHINGTON HUSKY CLASSIC
Seattle, Wash. (Dempsey Indoor)
Day 1 of 2
UC Davis results only
200 - 1. Keshia Baker, Saucony, 24.10... 4. Melanise Chapman, 24.63; 6. Ashley Marshall, 24.94; T8. Cekarri Nixon, 24.99; 12. Leslie Reed, 25.09; 40. Janay Pierce, 26.14; 41. Kira Rienecker, 26.15; 45. Kayla Carter, 26.26.
PV (Fri. section) - 1. Robyn Morioka, 3.77 (12-4.50)... 6. Danielle Steffen, 3.47 (11-4.50).
WT - 1. Britney Henry, ASTF, 20.88 (68-06.00)... 18. Veronica Smart, 16.00 (52-06.00); 32. Sarah Hussey, 14.33 (47-00.25).
