There were superior performances in the Alexander Durley Sports Complex at Texas Southern University last Saturday, the second day of the 56th Annual TSU Relays.
From the women’s team, senior Nikki Cameron qualified for the NCAA Regional meet in the 400-meter dash on Friday during the preliminary races. She qualified for the finals with the fastest time and ran second leg on the 4×400 team that placed 5th overall. LaQuita Alexander, LaTosha Hayes, and Jocelyn Wilson were a part of that relay also. Sophomore Alexis Tanner placed 6th in the long jump and also in the triple jump.
The sprint medley and 4×200 meter relays placed 4th and 5th respectively. Precious Beasly, Hayes, Alexander, and Cameron made up both relays and represented the team very well.
The men’s 4×100 meter relay made an attempt to qualify for the regional meet, but placed 7th. Benjamin Boyd, Jarryd Gray, Brandon Samples, and Chris Taylor made up the relay, and all excluding Gray made up the 4×200 relay that placed 6th. Jason Okoro ran fourth leg for this relay.
Hurdlers Darian Epting and Jason Mitchell placed 7th and 8th in the 400-meter hurdle race, and Andre Hilton placed second in the 110-meter hurdles. Hilton almost edged out Edmund Graham from Grambling in a close race.
The TSU Relays play host to a number of the nation’s best athletes. Of those close to home, Funmi Jimoh of Rice placed 1st in three events. She qualified for the NCAA regional meet in the 110-meter hurdles and the long jump, and she aided her relay team to a first place finish.
Olympic medalists Jeremy Wariner, Darrold Williamson, Derrick Brew and other elite track stars made their presence on the track and put on a show for the crowd as they prepare for the beginning of their long professional season.
The Panthers made a good showing in preparation for their annual home meet, the 78th Prairie View Relays, this Saturday, March 31, at 8:30 a.m.