The Niswonger Track and Field Invitational held in the Mini-Dome on Jan. 23 and 24 was the 26th anniversary of the spring indoor track meet hosted by ETSU and the second year for the meet to be sponsored by the Niswonger Foundation.
The meet was a success with 41 men’s and women’s teams participating in the competition.
Overall, ETSU had a solid weekend and did well for the first meet. Friday, Buccaneer senior Tiffany Collier received second place in the 800-meter finals with a time of 2:21.31.
Also, ETSU junior Chantelle Vernon finished the 60-meter dash race with a time of 7.57, missing the school record of 7.56, which Vernon herself set last year at the 2003 Niswonger Track and Field Invitational where she won first place. This time allowed her to qualify for the finals on Saturday.
ETSU freshman Joshua Hicks proved himself worthy of being a Buccaneer by running well in the 800-meter race, finishing with a personal best of 1:59.88.
The highlight of the day’s competition though was the 3000-meter invitational run. The race featured Alan Webb, sponsored by Nike. Webb won the race with a final time of 8:01.29, more than six seconds faster than his closest competitor.
Also running the 3000-meter was ETSU senior Brad Yewer who finished sixth overall with a time of 8:24.36. This time was two seconds faster than his personal best.
“I had a satisfactory weekend,” said Yewer. “Friday was not as good as I hoped, but was a lifetime best.”
The Bucs 4×400 meter relay team composed of Hicks, Kaylin Chesney, David Cabbler and Johnny Tucker also ran a sound race, placing eighth with a time of 3:25.70.
This year, many elite invitational events occurred and included the following: men’s 3000-meter, women’s and men’s 60-meter dash and women’s and men’s 60-meter hurdles.
The elite field showcased Webb who broke Jim Ryun’s prep mile record with a time of 3:53.43 while in high school, making him the first American high school student ever to run under four minutes indoors.
Also participating was Ian Connor, a U.S. distance runner sponsored by Nike; Yolanda McCray, a U.S. hurdler sponsored by Holyfield Track Club; Karl Savage, a U.S. distance runner for Zap Fitness; Tom Parlapiano, a U.S. distance runner from Villanova; Karl Jennings, a Canadian sprinter; Andrew Reyes, a sprinter from Liberia; and Evan Hawkins, an ETSU alumni.
In addition, six French Olympic athletes joined in the elite events, winning places in one event. Linda Fergakhodadin won first in the women’s 60 meter hurdles, and Fanny Gerance received second.
On Saturday, ETSU did not make an appearance in many events but made a strong impression in the finals. Sophomore Christine Ward finished with a time of 19:29.36 in the 5000-meter race in the morning’s unseeded distance runs.
During the night’s competitions, the Bucs took the award stand only twice. Chantelle Vernon came in second in the 60-meter dash with a time of 7.65 and Yewer finished second in the mile run with a time of 4:16.57.
“For a first meet what do you expect,” said Yewer. “Overall as a team it was a good team performance.”
The Bucs’ James Rainer qualified Friday night for the 60-meter finals and placed fifth Saturday with a time of 6.89. Senior Chad Hyder finished fourth in the shot put, his longest throw being 15.15m.
“Coach’s training makes you strong,” said Yewer. “Even on a bad day, you can pull off something good.”
Complete results for the weekend’s events at the Niswonger Track and Field Invitational are available on www.flash-results.com/etsu.
The Buccaneer’s track and field team’s next meet is the Appalachian Open, scheduled for Jan. 30 and 31, 2004 in Boone, N.C.

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