University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Joe Hilton Invitational
Two Tar Heels Set Personal Records at Joe Hilton
January 18, 2014 | Track & Field
CHAPEL HILL, N.C.- The University of North Carolina track and field teams competed in their second meet of the season at the Joe Hilton Invitational. North Carolina had three champions in their respective events. Roy Smith had a lifetime best in the 60-meter hurdles at 7.91, which is the fourth fastest time in school history, and the twelfth fastest this season.
"Monday's hurdle practice didn't go as planned and I tweaked my hamstring a little bit," Smith said. "I didn't practice all week and I wasn't supposed to run this weekend but watching my teammates do so well yesterday fueled me a little bit.
"I told myself, 'you're in control of what happens today. Either you're going to run or let the race run you.' It all just fell into place."
North Carolina head coach Harlis Meaders talked about Smith and Devon Carter's perfomances this weekend: "The sprints and hurdles in the ACC are going to continue to get harder. [Roy Smith] and Devon [Carter] got off to a great start and it gives us something we can count on as we get closer to ACC Indoor Championships."
Tristine Johnson claimed another victory this season, this time in the long jump with a distance of 19-3 ½ (5.88 meters), a new PR for her.
"I was disappointed in the jump that I put together," Johnson said. "However, the fact that I didn't jump well and still had a PR - that makes me really hopeful. As long as I keep working and keep trying to execute, great things will be coming in the new future."
Meaders had high praises of Johnson: "I think she had two jumps [today] that were farther than her lifetime best. She's going to be a vital part of what we are trying to do in the horizontal jumps."
Johnson also finished fourth in the 60-meter hurdles.
Sean Sutton won in the 200 meters with a time of 22.03, beating the second place finisher by over one second.
Other Tar Heels who competed were Jasmine Wilson, Gustell Preston, Amanda Benninghoff, and Chris Reeder. Wilson placed third in the 60-meter hurdles. Preston took third place in the high jump. Benninghoff had a second place finish as a freshman. Reeder placed fourth in the mile.
"This [weekend] was a really great start for our team," Meaders said. "Yesterday we had a number of PRs and some kids break the national top-twenty ranks. We sort of continued that trend today. Overall it was a very successful weekend for the team."
The Tar Heels next meet is the Dick Taylor Challenge in Chapel Hill, N.C. The meet is a two-day event starting on Thursday January 23 and continuing on Friday January 24. The Tar Heels will be host to Western Carolina, UNC-Wilmington, Duke, and ECU. On Saturday January 25 North Carolina will host the Tar Heel Open.
Players Mentioned
