University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Joe Hilton Tar Heel Invitational
Tar Heels Open 2008 Season With Strong Performance
January 12, 2008 | Track & Field
Jan. 12, 2008
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - The North Carolina men's and women's track and field teams opened their 2008 seasons on Saturday as they hosted the Joe Hilton Tar Heel Invitational in the Eddie Smith Field House. The newest Tar Heels performed well in their first taste of collegiate competition. Next on the docket for the Tar Heels is the Eddie & Jo Smith Carolina Classic on Saturday, Jan. 19 in the Eddie Smith Field House.
The women won six individual events on the day as they were led by freshman LaToya James who turned in an NCAA provisional mark in her first collegiate action. James ran the prelims of the 60-meter hurdles in 8.37 beating the provisional time of 8.43. James would cruise to victory in the finals with a time of 8.44.
Joining in the sprint victories for the Tar Heels would be senior Tyra Johnson who captured the 60-meter dash with a time of 7.52. Johnson almost picked up a second win in the 200-meter dash but fell just short as she came in second with a time of 24.62, just ahead of teammate Ashley Hill (25.90).
Senior Colleen Farley got in on the action in the 800 when she ran a 2:16.81 for the win. Farley was also a member of the winning 4x400 relay team that crossed the line in 3:51.30 thanks to a strong finish from Callie Pottinger. Relay team members Christine Johnson and Pottinger finished second and fourth, respectively in the 400 during individual action.
The Tar Heels dominated the field events as Abby Kimball, Mary Angell and Jocelyn White all claimed the top spot in their events. Kimball took top honors in the pole vault when she cleared 11-11 3/4 just ahead of teammate Alison McGinnis who cleared 10-11 3/4 for second place. Angell opened her collegiate career with a win as she took the shot put rather easily with a toss of 44-11 3/4, more than five feet further than the second-place finisher. White finished first in the weight throw with a throw of 54 feet even, ahead of Norjai Palma and Kate Howard who placed third and fifth, respectively.
Other field event action saw Ashley Haislip take second in the high jump (5-7), Ashley Hill finish second in the long jump (18-6 1/2) and Erika Foushée took second place in the triple jump (38-4).
On the men's side, the Tar Heels picked up four wins, including three by freshmen.
Charles Cox nearly pulled off the double after he captured the 200-meter dash in 21.95 and finished .01 out of first in the 400. Cox ran a time of 48.72 in the 400 just off of Chris Cox's (St. Augustine) time of 48.71. Fellow freshmen Ian Williamson and Desmond Layne also competed in the 400 finishing in eighth and 11th. In other track action, Matt Hamrick took the 3,000-meter run in a time of 8:49.04.
The Tar Heel distance medley relay team picked up a win in their first action of the season as they finished with a time of 10:24.36.
In field event action, Travis Leonard finished fifth in the high jump with a mark of 6-4 1/4. Multiple event performers Daniel Keller, Mateo Sossah and Matt Villemain all competed in the pole vault with Keller reaching 15-1 for third place overall. Keller, Sossah and Villemain competed in several events on the day in preparations for the heptathlon.
Another freshman left his mark on the meet as Austin Davis took the top spot in the triple jump with a 49-4 1/4 leap and nearly pulled off the double, falling just two inches shy of first in the long jump. Davis finished with a jump of 23-8.
Heralded freshman thrower Walter Henning opened his collegiate career with a win as he tossed the shot put 55-4 3/4 for the win. Fellow freshman Kyle Goodman finished eighth in the shot with a toss of 46-2 3/4.
The Tar Heels will be in action again on Saturday, Jan. 19 when they host the Eddie & Jo Smith Carolina Classic in the Eddie Smith Field House.
Players Mentioned
