April 16, 2011
TEMPE – The final day of action at the 53rd Mt. SAC Relays came to a close on Saturday in Walnut, Calif., with members of the Arizona State University track and field program again posting solid performances, including two more victories. Individually, Anna Jelmini defeated a group of elite discus competitors to win the invitational event while the women’s 4x100m relay edged rival Arizona for the victory to open the day.
Jelmini, who was in action in a pair of events on the day, closed the day with a victory in the invitational elite discus with her toss of 60.30m (197-10). The NCAA leader in the discus and among the Top 15 in the world, Jelmini added a fourth-place showing in the elite shot put competition as well, finishing with a mark of 17.26m (56-05.25) to finish second among collegiate entrants in an event that was won by former Sun Devil All-American Sarah Stevens-Walker. Jelmini’s shot put mark moved her up to No. 3 on the all-time ASU lists, surpassing Leslie Deniz, who was third in 17.03m, and leaving her behind just Stevens and Jessica Pressley, both of whom won NCAA titles in the event.
On the track, the women’s relays led the charge as the group of Asia Gooden, Kayla Sanchez, Alycia Herring and Jasmine Chaney combined to win the 4x100m relay in 44.53, edging out Arizona, who was second in 45.11. Later in the day, Herring, Sanchez and Chaney joined with Keia Pinnick to run 3:33.22 to finish a close second in the 4x400m relay to Oregon (3:32.63). Both times posted by ASU on the day are the 11th-best in program history, just missing out on 10th on the all-time lists, which include times of 44.50 and 3:33.04.
Back in the field, a trio of Sun Devils competed in invitational elite sections, all three of which came in the jumps. For the women, Christabel Nettey placed seventh overall and second among the current collegiate competitors as she posted a mark of 6.30m (20-08.00). For the men, Chris Benard was sixth overall in the triple jump and second among collegians as he jumped 15.65m (51-04.25). Bryan McBride also competed in the high jump for the second day in a row, clearing 2.05m (6-08.75) to finish 16th on the day.
Next up for the Sun Devils will be a pair of meets next weekend. Much of the team will return to the home track of Sun Angel Stadium on Saturday, April 23, when ASU plays host to the Sun Devil Open while the throws group will send some of its roster to the Triton Invitational at UC San Diego in La Jolla, Calif., on April 22-23.
53rd Mt. SAC Relays
Arizona State scores ONLY
Day Two • Saturday, April 16
Women’s 4x100m Relay - Olympic Development Elite
1. Arizona State - 44.53
A. Gooden, K. Sanchez, A. Herring, J. Chaney
Men’s 4x100m Relay - Invite Elite
-- Arizona State - did not finish
Women’s 4x400m Relay - Invite Elite
2. Arizona State - 3:33.22
A. Herring, K. Sanchez, K. Pinnick, J. Chaney
Women’s Long Jump - Invite Elite
7. Christabel Nettey - 6.30m (20-08.00)(+0.7)
Women’s Shot Put - Invite Elite
4. Anna Jelmini - 17.24m (56-05.25) - #3 all-time at ASU
Men’s Triple Jump - Invite Elite
6. Chris Benard - 15.65m (51-04.25)(+0.7)
Women’s Discus - Invite Elite
1. Anna Jelmini - 60.30m (197-10)
Men’s High Jump - Invite Elite
16. Bryan McBride - 2.05m (6-08.75)