May 12, 2007

Complete Results

CHAPEL HILL - Friday was a special day for the North Carolina men's and women's track and field teams as they hosted the UNC Elite meet at Irwin Belk track and Fetzer Field - a very special day. Brie Felnagle ran a 4:11.86 to improve upon her own collegiate-best time in the women's 1,500 meters but was edged for the title in the event by UNC alumna Erin Donohue, who recorded the fastest time in the U.S. this year with her 4:09.32 clocking. As if that wasn't enough, Nick Owens posted the nation's best collegiate mark in the hammer throw as well, tossing 231-5 to claim the event win and break his own school record in the process.

Owens' heave bested the 229-9 mark he set last year and made him the first Tar Heel to ever crack 230 feet in the event. Meanwhile, Felnagle's time moved her to second all-time at UNC in the 1,500 as she narrowly missed breaking Shalane Flanagan's record 4:11.60 time.

While those performances certainly stood out as highlights, the Tar Heels posted impressive results across the board.

Georgia Kloss ran a season-best 2:06.00 to take the women's 800 meters, and she was joined as an event champion by Jocelyn White and Morgan Stengel. White won the women's discus with a 168-6 toss, and Riana Lynn turned in a 153-1 effort to place second. Stengel took the 3,000-meter steeplechase in 10:48.04.

Alison McGinnis and Rhian Jenks each matched season bests with 12-5 1/2 clearances in the pole vault, finishing tied for third in the process. Abby Kimball posted an 11-5 3/4 mark in placing in a tie for eighth.

In the women's shot put, Kelly Fazekas finished fourth with a 47-11 3/4 throw and Kimberly Warren placed seventh with a 46-4 1/4 toss for the Tar Heels.

UNC also swept the 2-5 spots in the women's 5,000 meters. Felnagle added a second-place tie to her day, matching teammate Laura Cummings' 23:12.15 clocking, while Addie Bracy (23:12.18) and Stengel (23:12.22) finished right with them for fourth and fifth.

For the No. 12 UNC men, Justin Ryncavage led the way, claiming the title in the javelin with his 227-1 toss. Adam Montague placed fourth, throwing 209-5.

As well, Daniel Keller scored 6,194 points in winning the men's decathlon while Matthew Villemain recorded a career-best 6,173 points for a runner-up finish.

Also of note for the Tar Heel men: Edward Baldwin III tied for second in the long jump with his 23-2 1/2 leap and Ian Reynolds placed third in the shot put, throwing 54-0 1/2.

In the men's 800 meters, Ryan Shaver ran a career-best 1:52.2 to finish fourth and Cody Harper placed seventh in 1:55.31.

Members of the UNC track and field team were also in action Friday night at the Georgia Tech invitational, but due to weather delays, results from that meet are not yet available. The meet continues tomorrow and will mark the last action for Carolina's track and field athletes prior to the NCAA Regionals May 25-26.