Women’s track finishes third at Big East Championship

Junior Tamara McGill and the Panthers brought home the bronze medal, after finishing with… Junior Tamara McGill and the Panthers brought home the bronze medal, after finishing with 102 points in the Big East Championship.

The women finished with four individual event titles — the indoor pentathlon, shot put, 800-meter run and pole vault — and had 23 top-five finishes, in one of the most exciting tournaments in recent years.

McGill, the leader of the Panthers, put on an amazing display of athleticism in the pentathlon, winning the event by 20 points, and competing with severe pain in the back of her heel. She also placed fifth in the high jump, with a leap of 1.70 meters.

“Tamara is a warrior; she is the true definition of what this team is all about,” said Alonzo Webb the head coach of the men’s and women’s indoor track team. “She really grew up this year.”

Amanda Walker captured her second shot put title with a throw of 15.81 meters, finishing a full meter ahead of the next competitor. She also placed second in the 20-pound weight throw with a toss of 17.97 meters.

“Amanda really gave us a huge spark; she brings so much emotion to the table,” Webb said. “After her meet, it seemed like the team had new life; she was great.”

Kimberly Lyles, a junior, had another amazing meet. She had a personal best and placed second in the 60-meter dash with a time of 7.59. She also finished third in the 200-meter dash, breaking the school record, with a time of 24.27, and led the Panthers to a second-place finish in the 4×400-meter relay, with a time of 3:38:24.

“It is so tough to beat her; she doesn’t back down from anyone,” Webb said. “The girl is fearless; she just loves to compete.”

Elizabeth Bayne and Marissa Dudek also performed well for the Panthers. Bayne won the 800-meter run with a time of 2:14:52 and Dudek captured the pole vault with a jump of 3.81 meters.

“This was the smartest race Elizabeth ever ran,” Webb said. “She had great tactics, great position. She just ran a perfect race.”

Janine Jones, Maureen McCandless and Fatmata Fofonah also placed third, fourth and fifth, respectively, in their events for the Panthers.

The men’s team placed 10th with 36 points and finished with five top-five finishes. Matt Brousse, the captain of the team, placed third in the pole vault with a jump of 5.00 meters to the lead the Panthers.

“Matt is such a competitor; he wants to be the very best,” Webb said.

Troy Roberson, Jeryl Wilborn, Justin Clickett and Mike Stellefson placed in their events as well.

Webb feels very good about the overall direction of his team and is very happy to be part of a program that is on the rise.

“I am so spoiled because we have the best group of kids, who [try] so hard and really give a 110 percent,” Webb said. “It is so much fun to coach when you have kids like this.”