March 9, 2007

Tampa, Fla. - Bethune-Cookman University took to the track for the first time in the outdoor season for 2007 on Friday as they participated in the USF Invitational in Tampa, Fla. The Wildcats competed well with nine (9) Top-Five finishes on the day.

B-CU first-year head coach Garfield Ellenwood led his troops to battle with a brand new attitude on Friday as he wanted his teams to compete with vigor and tenacity like they never have before. The outcome was very-much different from what he expected ... a much-better showing than they have had all season long.

In the women's events, the 4x100 Meter Relay squad took fourth place with a time of 49.36 seconds. The team consisted of twins Melissa and Monique Scott, Danielle Sedacca and Britney Gibson.

Gibson continued her hot ways with a first place finish in the Triple Jump with a leap of 11.70m (38-04.75) on the day. It was just .01m ahead of second place competitor Gladys Williams of Tennessee State. In the field events, Devin King-Pierre finished eighth in both the Shot Put and Discus Throw for the Wildcats.

On the men's side of the track, Richard Woodbury tied for fifth place overall in the 100 Meter Dash as he posted a time of 11.25 seconds for the event.

The talk of the entire meet, however, was that of Wildcat performer Harold L. Rose, Jr. in the jumps. Rose also brought home a time of 15.08 seconds in the 110 Meter Hurdles--a fifth place showing for him. But it was his second place finish in the Javelin Throw with a distance of 40.69m (133-06) that was his biggest showing on the day.

Teammate Craig Johnson collected a second place showing in the Shot Put as his throw of 13.55m (44-05.50) was just behind top-finisher Andrew Dubs of Connecticut. Phillip Small, also competing in both the Shot Put and Discus Throw, finished fifth (11.91m) and fourth (41.38m), respectively. Small had his best showing in the Distance Throw, while Johnson fouled for his final attempt.

The men's 4x100 Meter Relay team also picked up a second place finish with their time of 44.30 seconds. The team consisted of Anthony Donaldson, Curtis Marshall, Cecil Robertson and Harold Rose.

Bethune-Cookman will look to keep their hot ways on track next weekend as they travel to the Disney Relays in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. at the Wide World of Sports Complex. Numerous teams from around the state will be in attendance for the annual event.