CSU Track Teams Impressive in Debut Meet on Saturday

Smiths Station, Ala. -- Columbus State got its first-ever men's and women's track season underway on Saturday at the Evilsizer Track Complex in Smiths Station in the college portion of the Markita James Relays. CSU ran a dual meet with Tuskegee in the event with the Cougar women coming out on top and the men finishing in a dead heat with the Golden Tigers.

"This is a really good start for us, but we should always take a look at how we can make improvements," said CSU head coach J.D. Evilsizer. "I hope we keep up the good work and continue improving."

In women's action, CSU claimed first place finishes in 13 of the 16 events contested. Shelisa Crawford a transfer from Troy University, was the top individual for CSU, collecting 17.7 points. She was followed closely by Whitey Ryals with 17 points. CSU had eight of the top 10 individual finishers in the overall standings.

Crawford took individual wins in the long jump (5m) and triple jump (9.4 m) and tied with Ryals in the high jump competition. Ryals won the pole vault (2.15 m), and the javeling throw (34.9 m).

Naomi Tanui won the 3000m run with a time of 10:29, while Kelli Arnold won the 1500 with a time of 5:22. Tiara Brown won the discus event with a throw of 21.8 m. CSU also took wins in the 4x800, 4x200 and 4x100 relays, and the distance medley and 800 sprint medley. CSU finished with 89 points as a team to 39 for Tuskegee.

In the men's portion CSU and Tuskegee finished dead even in points with a score of 64 points each. Each team took eight first-place finishes in the 16 events.

Jonathan Jones finished as the top individual scorer in the meet with 16 points. He led a group of five CSU team members in the top 10 which included Nicholas Kering, Meshach Koyiaki, Henry Davis and Russell Jones.

Jonathan Jones won the high jump (1.93 m), long jump (6.63 m) and triple jump events (13.67 m) for CSU. Henry Davis took the pole vault event with a vault of 3.30 m. Meshack Koyiaki, as expected, took the 3000 m run with a time of 8:39, while Nicholas Kering took the 1500 with a time of 4:11.

In the team events, CSU finished first in the 800 sprint medley and the 4x800 relay,

CSU returns to action on March 13 in a dual meet at Birmingham Southern College in Birmingham, Ala.