University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Dick Taylor UNC Challenge
UNC Takes Nine Events at Dick Taylor Challenge
January 25, 2014 | Track & Field
CHAPEL HILL, N.C., - The University of North Carolina track and field teams finished the Dick Taylor Challenge today. The women's team finished in second place with 131.5 points, and the men's team finished in third place with 103 points. North Carolina won nine events including the 60-meter hurdles where Roy Smith recorded the third fastest time in UNC school history at 7.87.
Smith's first-place finish was also a PR for him and ranks as the 13th fastest time in the NCAA this year.
"I was trusting in my coach and my training," Smith said. "I've been going to the training room every day, just doing things that need to be done. I've been doing little things to keep me healthy and it paid off."
Tristine Johnson had another outstanding meet as she captured two more victories. Johnson set a PR in the long jump at 19-6 ¾ which ranks 26th in the NCAA. Johnson took first in the triple jump, as she out-jumped second-place finisher and teammate Keyasia Tibbs by over three feet.
North Carolina went one-two in the men's 400-meter dash with Sean Sutton and RJ Alowonle.
Other Tar Heels who took first were Elizabeth Whelan, Emily Godwin, Annie LeHardy, and Sarah Howard. Whelan ran the fastest time in the NCAA this year in the 800 with a 2:06.91. Godwin competed in the high jump and collected her first collegiate victory. LeHardy took first place in the women's mile. Howard took first in the shot put for the second meet in a row and threw four feet farther than the next competitor. The men's 4x400 meter relay took first place with leg runners Ceo Ways, O'Neal Wanliss, Sutton, and Devon Carter.
Carter also competed in the 60-meter hurdles and placed second behind Smith.
Four other Tar Heels took second place in their respective events. Avana Story shattered her PR in the weight throw, beating it by more than 18 inches. Cameron Overstreet took second in the pole Vault, and AJ Hicks took second in the shot put. Wanliss placed second in the men's 800 where UNC went two-three-four. Javonte Lipsey placed third and behind him was Cory Nicholls.
East Carolina's men's team took first place and the men's Carolina Cup while Duke's women's team took the women's Carolina Cup. Duke took second place in the men's followed by North Carolina. North Carolina took second in the women's followed by East Carolina. Western Carolina placed fourth in both the men's and women's while UNC Wilmington took fifth for both the men and women.
"I want to congratulate Coach [Curt] Kraft at ECU and his men's program, and Norm [Ogilvie] over at Duke and his women's program," North Carolina head coach Harlis Meaders said. "They did an excellent job today. Their teams have a lot of depth and they definitely deserved to win today.
"Overall I'm really happy with the Carolina Cup. It's a great concept. The teams came in and competed really hard. I'd like to thank the fans for coming out. I think it was a great atmosphere and we put on a great meet."
The Tar Heels are back in action tomorrow at the Tar Heel Open. North Carolina will host 18 colleges or universities as well as five clubs and several unattached individuals. The meet will begin at 9 a.m. with the women's weight throw.
A recap of performances and full results will be available on Goheels.com at the conclusion of the meet. Live stats for the Tar Heel Open can be found here and the schedule can be found here. Admission is free and the meet is open to the public.
Players Mentioned
