Friday, February 12, 2010

CLEMSON, S.C. AND FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (Feb. 12, 2010) - Junior Jasmine Ingram (Frederick, Md.) led the ETSU track and field team on day one at the Tiger Paw Invitational, as the Frederick, Md. native finished second in the 300m inside the Clemson Indoor Track Complex on Friday evening. However, Buccaneer sprinters Mike James (Palm Bay, Fla.) and Duronal Monal (Belle Glade, Fla.) struggled at the prestigious Tyson Invitational in Fayetteville, Ark.

Ingram, who previously ran a 40.77 in the 300m at Clemson back in early January, shaved some time off that mark and finished behind Georgia Tech's Tiffany Grant with a time of 39.73.

On the men's side of the 300m, sophomore runner Robert Purcell (Raeford, N.C.) turned in a fifth-place effort after clocking in at 35.89. Also, in the men's 500m, fellow Buccaneer newcomer Tim O'Dell (Ormond Beach, Fla.) raced his way to a fifth-place finish. O'Dell recorded a time of 1:07.40 in the event.

Senior Michael Deren (Blasdell, N.Y.) and junior Manny Gonzalez (Maryville, Tenn.) highlighted the Bucs in the distance events. Deren posted a season-best time in the 5000m and finished fourth overall with a time of 15:08.59. In the mile, Gonzalez also shed some time off his previous best - placing eighth in 4:20.38 - which was six seconds faster than what he turned in a few weeks ago at the Niswonger Invitational.

Sophomore Quentin Greenlee (Morristown, Tenn.) had a bittersweet day on Friday night. After showcasing his best race this year in the prelims of the 60m dash (6.88), Greenlee was disqualified in the finals and didn't finish the race.

Rounding things out for the Bucs on Friday night was freshman Ryan Beaver's (Virginia Beach, Va.) fourth-place performance in the long jump. Beaver waited until his last jump to record a mark of 7.07m - putting him behind a pair of ACC athletes and Javin Dodd from South Alabama.

Meanwhile, in Fayetteville, Mike James and senior Duronal Monal both missed qualifying for the finals in their respective events. James turned in a time of 8.06 in the 60m hurdles and placed 26th overall; while Monal finished 23rd in the 60m (6.81). Both Buccaneer athletes will compete in the 200m on Saturday.

The Bucs return to action in the second and final day of the Tiger Paw Invitational on Saturday at noon. James and Monal will race at 2 p.m. at the Tyson Invitational.

For more information on Buccaneer track and field, visit www.ETSUBucs.com.