Florida Gators
Florida Relays
Sun Finally Shines on Final Day of Florida Relays
Sunday, April 1, 2001 | Track and Field
After three days of rain at the 58th annual Florida Relays, the sun was shining all day on the fourth and final day. High school 3A/4A finals kicked off the morning while the Invitational division dominated the afternoon and evening hours. The Florida women's team took all three invitational relays of the day making it perfect for the whole weekend. With the men's team going perfect in relays yesterday, both Gator teams are perfect in relays at this year's Florida Relays.
The women's invitational 4x100m, 4x400m and 4x800m were all wins for the Gators. Highlighting the early relay events was the 4x100m relay team of Niki Benjamin, Ebony Shotwell, Keyon Soley and Amber Robinson. The team ran a provisional qualifying time of 44.30, ranking them fourth all-time at Florida. The 4x800m relay team of Kristina Bratton, Erin Merten, Melissa DeLeon and Kamille Bratton turned in a 8:40.17 performance to take the event. The 4x400m team of 4x400m Amber Robinson, Niki Benjamin, Nona Allen and Faith Rein capped the evening with an automatic NCAA qualifying time of 3:32.74.
The women's pole vault was one of the more exciting events of the day. Aimee Crabrtree of San Diego State with a Percy Beard Track and Florida Relays record mark of 12-10. Gator Megan Westfall also cleared the same height but had more misses and placed second, but still had a provisional qualifying height. Two more Gators also cleared provisional marks. Laura Hawkins finished third and Andrea Slazano finished sixth, both with qualifying marks of 12-6.
Stephen Jones continued his busy weekend with a provisional qualifying time in the 110m high hurdles. Jones' time of 13.86 ties his own personal best and the fourth-ranked time in Florida history. As the champion, Jones was presented the Percy Beard Award, given in honor of the former Gator track coach.
Chris Duncan was the winner of the 3,000m steeplechase, the final individual event of the weekend. He ran the course in 8:56.54.
Also winning its event on the men's side was the Gator 4x400m relay team of Aaron Armstrong, Geno White, Moise Joseph and Rickey Harris, which won the weekend's final race with a time of 3:05.04
With the 58th annual running of the Florida Relays in the books, the Gator men's team will head to Georgia Tech next weekend while the women's team will host a home quad meet at Percy Beard Track.
UF Wins
Men: Stephen Jones-110mHH (13.86); Chris Duncan-3,000m Steeplechase (8:56.54); 4x400m (Aaron Armstrong, Geno White, Moise Joseph, Rickey Harris) 3:05.04
Women: 4x800m (Kristina Bratton, Erin Merten, Melissa DeLeon, Kamile Bratton) 8:40.17; 4x100m (Niki Benjamin, Ebony Shotwell, Keyon Soley, Amber Robinson) 44.30; 4x400m (Amber Robinson, Niki Benjamin, Nona Allen, Faith Rein).3:32.74
UF Qualifiers:
Automatic
Men: none
Women: 4x400m (Amber Robinson, Niki Benjamin, Nona Allen, Faith Rein).3:32.74
Provisional:
Men: Stephen Jones-110mHH (13.86); 4x400m (Aaron Armstrong, Geno White, Moise Joseph, Rickey Harris) 3:05.04
Women: 4x100m (Niki Benjamin, Ebony Shotwell, Keyon Soley, Amber Robinson). 44.30; Megan Westfall (12-10), Laura Hawkins (12-6), Andrea Salzano (12-6)
Records Set Today:
Invitational Men: none
Invitational Women: Pole Vault -- Aimee Crabtree (San Diego State), 12-10 Percy Beard Track and Florida Relays Record
3A/4A Boys: none
3A/4A Girls: none
END OF REPORT
