March 22, 2008

49er Classic Results

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - USC Upstate freshmen Emily Tangwar and Perrish Goggins continue to establish themselves as big-time performers for the Spartans men's and women's track and field teams with their performances at the final day of the 49er Classic Saturday with Tangwar taking the women's 3000 meters and Goggins finishing in the top 10 in both the men's high jump and men's triple jump.

Tangwar, who was battling sickness this weekend, pulled away in the final lap of the race to come in at a time of 10:34.87 for her first career outdoor event win.

"I asked (Emily) if she was sure she wanted to run and she said that she wanted to take a little run before the race and she came back said she was okay," USC Upstate assistant track and field coach Ed Schlichter, who coaches distance runners, said. "What she did today was phenomenal and showed just what kind of an athlete she is."

Goggins, who has been riding a wave of great finishes recently, made the finals of the men's triple jump where he finished ninth with a jump of 45-00.50 and was tied for eighth in the men's high jump at a mark of 6-02.75. He also finished in the top 10 of the men's long jump on Friday.

"Anytime you break the top 10 in a meet this size with this caliber of competition, you're doing really well," USC Upstate track and field head coach Jimmy Stephens said. "To make the finals of the triple jump is great for (Perrish) and we're going to really have him concentrate on this event from here on out."

Freshman pole vaulter Justin Crawford picked up a top-five finish, placing fourth in the men's pole vault with a vault of 14-01.25.

In the men's 3000 meters, sophomore Matt Henderson and junior Brent Durden put together solid runs with Henderson finish 12th at a time of 9:36.50 and Durden coming in 14th at 9:45.54. Freshman thrower James Miles was 19th in the men's shot put with a throw of 43-11.75.

"Brent and Matt both gave it there all today, ran personal records and beat their indoor times," Schlichter said. "Continuing to improve is what we're all about."

Stephens noted other good performances as well including a new personal record in the women's triple jump by freshman jumper Melissa Billups and the performances of Miles and freshman Josh Kirby in the men's discus as well.

"We had a opportunity to get an indication of where our marks are and what we can work on so we can move forward as a team and individuals," Stephens said.

USC Upstate will travel to Columbia, S.C. next Saturday, March 29 for the Weems Baskins Invitational at the University of South Carolina.