Flyin' Frogs host TCU Invitational
4/18/2008 12:00:00 AM
April 18, 2008
Heat Sheets (Will be available Friday)
FORT WORTH, Texas - The TCU track and field team will host its second home meet on Saturday with the ninth annual TCU Invitational at the Lowdon Track & Field Complex."We are excited to be at home and looking forward to the TCU Invitational. Our kids are going to run their primary events this weekend and try and improve our position as we move towards the conference meet here at TCU," said head coach Darryl Anderson. "Hopefully this weekend we will be able to record more regional qualifying marks."
The meet will begin with the men's and women's discus competition at approximately 4:30 p.m. today. Running events are set to begin on Saturday at noon with the women's 4x100 relay, while field events will start at 10 a.m. with the women's javelin.
Heat sheets should be available to the public Friday afternoon or Friday evening.
Competing in the TCU Invitational are TCU, New Mexico, Oklahoma State, Texas Tech, North Texas and several other schools throughout Texas and Arkansas.
Saturday's meet will mark the second of a school-record three home meets, which includes the Mountain West Conference Championship on May 14-17. The Horned Frogs will host the outdoor championships for the first time since joining the Mountain West Conference.
Admittance into this weekends meet is $5 for adults and $3 for youth (high school or younger).
Live results will be available on www.gofrogs.com. Complete results at the conclusion of Saturday can also be viewed at www.gofrogs.com.
TCU comes into this weekend following a successful outing at the John Jacobs Invitational last Saturday. In Norman, TCU discus throwers Tommy Killen and Stormy Harrison set new school records, while Candis Kelley won the women's shot put with an NCAA regional qualifying mark.
Sophomore Festus Kigen opened TCU's weekend on the track last night at the 50th annual Mt. SAC Relays. The Kenya native clocked a regional qualifying time of 14:03.61 in the university division of the 5000 meters to place second behind Jose Mireles of Mexico, who posted a winning time of 14:02.43. Kigen's time is currently the second fastest time in the Mountain West Conference and ranked in the top 20 of the NCAA. It also currently sits as the seventh fastest time in the Midwest Region.
The TCU Invitational In 2007
In 2007, the TCU track and field team posted 16 regional qualifying times to go along with nine gold medals at the TCU Invitational.
Individually, Delwayne Delaney (4x100 and 4x400 relays), Dell Guy (4x100 and 4x400 relays), Virgil Hodge (100 and 200 meters) and Nathandra John (400 meters and 4x400 relay) each earned two gold medals in 2007. Also earning gold medals were Festus Kigen (800 meters), Jonathan Jackson (triple jump), Candis Kelley (shot put), the women's 4x400 relay and both the men's 4x100 and 4x400 relays.
Recording NCAA Provisional Marks
Overall during the 2008 outdoor season, TCU has posted 21 NCAA regional qualifying marks in 17 different events. Flyin' Frogs who have recorded regional marks in 2008 are the Men's 4x100 and 4x400, Che Chavez (400 meters), Otis McDaniel (100 meters), Andon Mitchell (100 meters), Tommy Killen (Discus), Joe Brown (Javelin), Jonathan Jackson (Triple Jump), Justyn Warner (100 meters), Mychal Dungey (200 meters), Festus Kigen (5,000 meters), the women's 4x100 and 4x400, Kishelle Paul (100-meter hurdles and 400-meter hurdles), Brittany Blaylock (100 meters), Candis Kelley (Shot Put), Stormy Harrison (Shot Put and Discus), Neidra Covington (Long Jump) and Virgil Hodge (100 meters).
Where The Flyin' Frogs Are Ranked Nationally
The Flyin' Frogs men's outdoor track & field team just missed cracking the national ranking in the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Association (USTFCCCA) rankings this week at No. 28. The women also fell just outside of the top 25 at No. 33.
Breaking Records In 2008
Under head coach Darryl Anderson TCU has made a habit of breaking school records. In 2008, the Flyin' Frogs have now broke a total of five school records between the indoor and outdoor seasons. This past weekend, both Tommy Killen and Stormy Harrison set new marks in the men's and women's discus, respectively. Harrison, a freshman from Cisco, crushed the school record by tossing 160 feet, 2 inches on her third throw to finish fifth overall in the event at John Jacobs Field. Harrison's toss broke Zelma Wade's throw of 157 feet, 11 inches set in 2005. Killen won the men's discus in Norman on Saturday, tossing a career best mark of 192 feet, 10 inches. His throw broke Jordan Reynold's previous school record of 190 feet, 8 inches, set in 1990. Killen's toss was one inch off the Olympic Trials standard.
Purple And White Showing Up In World Rankings
The Flyin' Frogs 4x100, 4x200 and 4x400 units on the men's side are currently ranked in the top 25 of the world standings. The 4x100 relay is sitting at No. 22 in the world standings, while the 4x200 unit has the No. 4 ranking in the world. Finally, the 4x400 squad heads into this weekend with the ninth fastest time in the world.
On the women's side, Kishelle Paul currently has the 23rd fastest mark in the women's 400-meter hurdles. Both the 4x100 and 4x400 are ranked in the world standings. The 4x100 unit is currently at No. 15 in the world standings.
Frogs Representing On National Stage
The Flyin' Frogs have a strong contingent that have fared well at the halfway point of this spring season nationally. Heading into the TCU Invite, eight different men, including the 4x100 and 4x400 relay, are ranked in the top 30 of the NCAA, while on the women's side, six different athletes, including both relays, are currently sitting in the top 30 in the nation.
On the men's side, Jonathan Jackson leads the Flying Frogs at No. 7 overall in the triple jump. Freshman Mychal Dungey is currently ranked 12th overall in the men's 200, while Che Chavez currently sits at 29th overall in the 400. Festus Kigen has the 21st fastest time clocked in the 5000 meters following Thursday night's Mt. SAC Relays. Finally, Tommy Killen moved up the rankings after a school record performance in Norman. Killen sits at No. 10 in the discus. The men's 4x400 is currently the fourth best unit in the nation, while the 4x100 unit is No. 10 in the NCAA.
In the throws, Joe Brown moved to No. 26 in the javelin this week.
On the women's side, senior Virgil Hodge currently sits at No. 14 in the women's 100, while Kishelle Paul leads all individuals at No. 4 in the women's 400-meter hurdles. Both of TCU's relays are currently ranked in the top 20 of the NCAA, while sophomore Neidra Covington currently has the 27th best jump in the nation in the long jump. Finally, Candis Kelley is sitting at No. 28 in the women's shot put.
TCU In The MWC
Entering this weekend TCU has the top mark posted in 11 different events in the Mountain West, including all four relays. All-in-all, the Purple and White have seven of the top marks posted on the men's side and four for the women.
Overall, the Flyin' Frogs have the top times in the 100, 200, 110m high hurdles, 4x100, 4x400, triple jump and long jump on the men's side. The Purple and White women claim the top spot in the 100, 400m hurdles, 4x100 and 4x400.
Up Next
TCU will travel to the historic Penn Relays on April 24-26.
Players Mentioned
