University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
UCF Black & Gold Challenge Day 1
Shippee Throws Into The UNC Record Books Again
March 16, 2018 | Track & Field
ORLANDO, Fla. - On the first day of the UCF Black & Gold Challenge, the University of North Carolina's Jill Shippee won the women's hammer throw by almost five feet with her throw of 199-6 (60.82 meters) on her first attempt at the UCF Track and Field Complex.
Shippee's throw ranks third in UNC history only behind Laura Gerraughty (205-8) and Avana Story (200-9). The freshman from Clifton Park, N.Y. also already ranks third in UNC history in the hammer throw.
"Jill's mark being No. 3 in UNC history is quite an accomplishment for a freshman in her first college meet," head coach Harlis Meaders said. "Jill was a highly decorated high school athlete, so her mark today is still short of her high school PR. So, it's not unfathomable that she would throw that far, but we think that she is capable of so much more."
Redshirt-junior Alex Cooke finished just off her lifetime best in the event, throwing 179-9 (54.78) on her second attempt to take sixth.
"We are excited to see both Jill and Alex have a good transition from the indoor weight throw to the outdoor hammer," Meaders said. "Both young ladies are training very hard, and we think they are both going to be competitive at the conference level and hopefully at the national level."
OTHER RESULTS
• In his first action of the year, redshirt-sophomore Jared Martin took 11th in the javelin on his second throw of 178-3 (54.34 meters).
• Freshman Emerson Porter took fifth in the pole vault, making 11-11 ¾ (3.65 meters) on her first attempt.
SATURDAY PREVIEW
The Back & Gold Challenge resumes Saturday with the women's discus at 10 a.m. and the running events getting started at 11 a.m. with the women's 4x100 relay. In the field events, The Tar Heels will have individuals representing in the discus, long jump, shot put and high jump. Then on the track, Carolina athletes will compete in the men's 4x100, both sections of the short hurdles, the 400 meters, the men's 800 meters, the 200 meters and both sections of the 4x400.
HOW TO FOLLOW
A full schedule of events, heat sheets and a link to live results are available at GoHeels.com.
Fans can also follow @unctrack_field on Twitter and Instagram for updates throughout the meet. UNC Track & Field is also on Facebook. A recap of performances and results will be posted on GoHeels.com following the conclusion of competition.
Players Mentioned
