Feb. 1, 2008

Results

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - The University of North Carolina track and field teams returned home on Friday and hosted the Texas Roadhouse Carolina Classic in the Eddie Smith Field House. On day one, several Tar Heels turned in solid performances led by Alexandra Coppadge who claimed the pentathlon with a score of 3,418 points. Mateo Sossah and Daniel Keller rank second and third in the heptathlon with two events remaining in their first multi action of the year.

Callie Pottinger finished second in the 400, which featured 68 runners, with a time of 57.32. Colleen Farley was not far behind as she finished with a time of 59.37 for 16th place in the only Tar Heel women's track action of the day.

In the field events, Erika Foushee cleared 38-4 for seventh in the triple jump invitational. A pair of Tar Heels finished second in the weight throw with Jocelyn White taking the honors in the weight throw invitational with a toss of 56-9.25 and Norjai Palma in the open weight throw as her throw landed at 46-6.25.

The Carolina multi athletes opened the 2008 campaign on Friday with the women completing the pentathlon with Alexandra Coppadge finishing first and Gabby Gioia taking home second in the group of 12 competitors. Coppadge finished the day with 3,418 points as she racked up 912 in the 60-meter hurdles (8.99), 795 in the high jump (5-5), 552 in the shot put (33-11.25), 527 in long jump (16-0.25) and 632 in the 800 (2:35.0). Gioia was not far behind as she closed the day with 3,347 points with 879 in the 60-meter hurdles (9.15), 621 in the high jump (4-11), 565 in the shot put (34-7), 614 in the long jump (17-0.75) and 668 in the 800 (2:31.97).

On the men's side, three Tar Heels competed in the 400 with Ian Williamson leading the way as he finished 16th in a time of 50.67. Brian Barrett and Desmond Layne finished 28th and 30th, respectively with times of 51.52 and 51.71. The men's distance medley relay team finished second with a time of 10:13.35.

Austin Davis fell just short of a provisional mark in the triple jump as he finished second in the invitational portion with a leap of 50-5.25. The jump was just an inch shy of the NCAA provisional mark.

Mateo Sossah, Daniel Keller and Matthew Villemain all saw their first heptathlon action of the 2008 season on Friday and all turned in strong efforts. With two events remaining, Sossah and Keller rank second and third with marks of 2,909 and 2,836. Villemain is in sixth with 2,448 points as the trio still have the 60-meter hurdles, pole vault and 1000 to compete in on Saturday.

Events begin at 9 a.m. on Saturday in the Eddie Smith Field House with the 3000 beginning a full day of events.