Florida Gators
Penn Relays
Thrower Sets Collegiate Record at Penn Relays
Friday, April 25, 2003 | Track and Field
University of Florida sophomore Candice Scott set the collegiate record in the hammer throw for the second time this season, leading the Gators to a 1-2-3 sweep in the Championship Hammer Throw event at the 108th annual Penn Relays in Philadelphia, Pa., Thursday. Her mark of 68.23m/223-10 is a new collegiate record by 10 inches.
Scott's throw also set a new Penn Relays record, and she re-set the Florida school record for the third time this season. Prior to the beginning of the outdoor season, Florida's school record in the hammer throw was 207-6. Jukina Dickerson finished second in the Championship hammer with a throw of 63.67m/208-10, while Erin Gilreath rounded out the sweep with her throw of 62.41m/204-9. Dore DeBartolo finished eighth (56.19m/184-4) and Kim Barrett finished ninth (55.96m/183-7).
Karen Freberg was the top finisher for the Gators in the Championship Shot Put, reaching 16.34m/53-7.50 to finish fourth. Barrett followed with a fifth-place mark of 16.18 m/53'01.00, and DeBartolo rounded out Florida's competitors in the event with her mark of 15.14m /49'08.25. In the open shot put, Gilreath placed fourth with a mark of 15.40 m/ 50'06.25 – eighth in UF history – followed by Merilyn Brown in sixth place (14.79m / 48'06.25).
Junior Andrea Bliss continues to improve in the 400m hurdles, finishing 13th overall with a personal-best time of 1:00.12, which betters her eighth place time in school history. The Gators' 4x400m relay team won its heat in 3:37.80, placing fourth overall, while the 4x100m relay team finished second in its heat and 10th overall with a time of 45.71 and advances to the 4x100 college finals Friday afternoon.
In the women's 3,000m steeplechase, Mason Cathey was the high finisher for the Gators, placing 11th in a time of 11:09.95, while Jessica Newton finished 12th in 11:13.62. Yolanda Thompson finished seventh in the long jump with her mark of 6.11m/20-00.50, and Cameal Rhule placed 12th, clearing 5.87m/19-3.25.
The Gator men's team participated in the distance events Thursday night, with Steve Zieminski finishing third in the Championship Steeplechase in a personal-best time of 8:55.00. His time also places him seventh in school history.
The men will open their sprint events Friday with the 4x100m relay, which begins at noon. The Penn Relays continue through Saturday.
UF Wins: 1
Women (1): Candice Scott – championship hammer throw, 68.23m/223-10
UF Regional Qualifying Marks
Men (1): Steve Zieminski – 3,000m Steeplechase, 8:55.00
Women (16): Kim Barrett – shot put, 16.18m /53'01.00, hammer throw, 55.96 m/ 183'07; Andrea Bliss – 400m hurdles, 1:00.12; Merilyn Brown – shot put, 14.79 m/ 48'06.25, hammer throw, 53.71m /176'02; Dore DeBartolo – shot put, 15.14 m/49'08.25, hammer throw, 56.19m / 184'04; Jukina Dickerson – hammer throw, 63.67m / 208'10; Karen Freberg – shot put, 16.34m /53'07.50; Erin Gilreath – shot put, 15.40 m/ 50'06.25, hammer throw - 67.41m / 221'02; Rachel Longfors – hammer throw, 52.44 m/172'00; Candice Scott – hammer throw, 68.23m / 223'10; Yolanda Thompson – long jump, 6.11m / 20'00.50; 4x100m relay, 45.71; 4x400m relay, 3:37.80
