University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Doc Hale Invite
Hicks Throws PR In Men's Weight Throw
February 6, 2016 | Track & Field
BLACKSBURG, Va. -- The University of North Carolina track and field teams took on the toughest competition they have seen this year at the Doc Hale VT Elite on Friday. Several Tar Heels set personal bests and ACC qualifying marks during the first day of events.
"It was our first opportunity to travel to Blacksburg this year. Our women's team had a solid first day," head coach Harlis Meaders said. "Natisha Dixon had a lifetime best in the 60-meter hurdles running 8.37. She broke through against good competition today and we're excited to see that. Cierra Dunston continued to improve in women's 400 and had a great day against a very talented field. We know she can still run faster and she'll continue to improve. We were glad to see Lizzy back on the track, although not in her favorite event. Avana Story had a seasonal best throw against good competition and we're looking for her to continue to improve and score points for us at the conference meet.
"AJ Hicks had a lifetime performance today. That moves him up on the national list and puts him in pretty solid contention for qualifiyng for the national championship. We're looking for him to be consistent on the national scene. A solid performance from Kenny Selmon running the 60-meter hurdles for the first time. He'll continue to get better. Kedrick Davis in the 60 continues to be solid. I think he'll have a breakthrough pretty soon. Joey Souza made his college debut and although he didn't get the numbers he wanted, the effort was there."
AJ Hicks came out with an amazing performance in the men's weight throw. Hicks set a personal record at 71-3.25 (21.72 meters). All four of Hicks' legal attempts were beyond 70 feet. The mark puts him seventh in the nation and second in the ACC.
Lizzy Whelan narrowly edged out her competition in the women's mile to take first at 4:51.36. Three other competitors were less than a second behind. Josette Norris finished fifth in the event at 4:52.47.
Joey Souza made his collegiate debut in the men's long jump with a top mark of 23-4 (7.11 meters).
Kenny Selmon competed in the men's 60-meter hurdles for the first time in his career and finished fourth with a respectable 8.09 time to qualify for the final. Selmon finished fifth overall in the finals.
Kedrick Davis qualified for the final in the men's 60-meter dash at 6.87. Davis nearly repeated his performance with a 6.88 time in the final for sixth.
Natisha Dixon qualified for the final of the 60-meter hurdles with a time of 8.44. In the finals however she finished fifth with a personal best 8.37 time.
Avana Story placed fifth in the women's weight throw at 60-9.25 (18.52 meters), a seaon best for Story.
Cierra Dunston qualified for the women's 400 meter invitational and set a personal best in the indoor 400 at 55.30.
The teams will contine to compete tomorrow in the second day of competition at the Doc Hale VT Elite. A recap of performances and results can be found on GoHeels.com following the conclusion of the meet.
Players Mentioned
