The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB Track Team Impressive At Clemson Opener
12/2/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Track & Field
Dec. 1, 2006
CLEMSON, S.C. ----- UAB's track team took a victory in the distance medley relay and Elizabeth Hilligoss led a quartet of four top-seven finishers in the 5,000-meter run to highlight the Blazers' first day of competition at the Clemson Opener.
The meet, which concludes Saturday at Clemson's indoor track and field complex, is the first action of the season for the Blazers.
UAB had a pair of foursomes finish among the top three teams in the distance medley relay. The team of Genoah Collins, Tara Colvin, Alina Varpiotaite and Whitney Mays were first with a time of 12:08.23 while the unit of Jakia Williams, Amber Walker, Kendal Hood and Kristina Olsen placed third at 12:39.07.
Hilligoss, who is coming off another outstanding cross country season, was the top Blazer finisher in the 5,000-meter run as she placed third at 17:37.37. Jennifer Thompson was fifth in the race (18:22.55), Katie Stepp in sixth (18:23.24) and Ryanne Fortney in seventh (18:29.02).
Deborah Hawkins, a native of Hopkins, S.C. returning to her home state, placed fourth in the long jump at 19-5 ¼.
The Blazers also had several sprinters in preliminary heat action in the 60-meter dash as Stephanie McCauley, Stacey Adewakun and Oriana Carter all qualified for Saturday's final.
