Jan. 23, 2009
FLAGSTAFF – Jason Lewis broke the school record in the men’s weight throw by over three feet and automatically qualified for the NCAA Championships in March to lead the Arizona State University track and field team at its opening meet, the Friday Night Challenge, in Flagstaff, Ariz. Lewis collected two of the program’s 15 victories in the season-opening meet while also provisionally qualifying in the shot put.
Lewis, who set the set school record last year at 20.94m (68-08.50), shattered his previous best mark with a record-toss of 22.04m (72-03.75) to earn a spot in the national championships. His toss is currently the second-best in the nation and is one of only three automatic qualifiers to College Station, Texas. He also provisionally qualified in the shot put with his toss of 18.23m (59-09.75).
Donald Sanford, in his first race for the Sun Devils, provisionally qualified for the national meet in the 400m dash as he won the race in 47.15. For the women, Charonda Williams swept the two short sprints and provisionally qualified in both as she captured wins in the 60m dash (7.41aa) and the 200m dash (23.81). Her time in the 60m is the third-fastest in school history, bettering her previous best of 7.42 run last year.
On the track, ASU swept four events, including the 60m dash, the 200m dash, the 400m dash and the 4x400m relay. Along with Williams’ victory, Dominique’ Maloy captured the 400m event in 55.84 before helping the team of Jeavon Benjamin, Shauntel Elcock and Kayla Sanchez to victory in the relay with a time of 3:50.22. The men’s winners included Marcus Duncan in the 60m (6.82aa), Calvin Abram in the 200m (21.65) and the 4x400m relay of Joel Phillip, Darryl Elston, Justin Kremer and Sanford (3:13.63). The lone field event that was swept was the pole vault with freshman Cara Carpenter clearing the fifth-best height in school history of 3.81m (12-06.00) while Corey Phallen cleared 4.90m (16-00.75) to take the men’s title.
Other winners included true freshman Kauren Tarver in the women’s 800m run (2:21.97), Stephanie Garnett in the women’s long jump (6.05m/19-10.25) and Jeremy Egboro in the men’s triple jump (14.77m/48-05.50).
All told, the Sun Devils added seven runner-up finishes and eight third-place showings on the day. They also swept the top three places in the men’s 60m dash, the men’s 200m dash and the men’s 400m dash.
The Sun Devils will return to action in Flagstaff next weekend as they compete in the Mountain ‘T’ Invitational on Friday and Saturday inside the Walkup Skydome.
Meet Highlights - Friday Night Challenge
Friday, January 23 - Northern Arizona
NCAA Automatic Qualifiers
Jason Lewis - M Weight - 22.04m (72-03.75)
NCAA Provisional Qualifiers
Charonda Williams - W 60m Dash - 7.41aa
Charonda Williams - W 200m Dash - 23.81
Donald Sanford - M 400m Dash - 47.15
Jason Lewis - M Shot Put - 18.23m (59-09.75)
Event Winners
Charonda Williams - W 60m Dash - 7.41aa
Charonda Williams - W 200m Dash - 23.81
Dominique’ Maloy - W 400m Dash - 55.84
Kauren Tarver - W 800m Run - 2:21.97
Jeavon Benjamin, Shauntel Elcock, Dominique’ Maloy, Kayla Sanchez - W 4x400m Relay - 3:50.22
Cara Carpenter - W Pole Vault - 3.81m (12-06.00)
Stephanie Garnett - W Long Jump - 6.05m (19-10.25)
Marcus Duncan - M 60m Dash - 6.82aa
Calvin Abram - M 200m - 21.65
Donald Sanford - M 400m Dash - 47.15
Joel Phillip, Darryl Elston, Justin Kremer, Donald Sanford - M 4x400m Relay - 3:13.63
Corey Phallen - M Pole Vault - 4.90m (16-00.75)
Jeremy Egboro - M Triple Jump - 14.77m (48-05.50)
Jason Lewis - M Shot Put - 18.23m (59-09.75)
Jason Lewis - M Weight - 22.04m (72-03.75)