GAINESVILLE, Florida -- (Jan.17) The Florida A&M Men's track team
embarked on Gainesville for the Gator Invite indoor track meet and came away
with several promising results. He coach Wayne Angel is building the squad to a
total team after his first full year at the helm and several first-year athletes
proved themselves on today.
One of the runners Angel knew he would have to depend on this season is
freshman Troy Pollard. Pollard is a California junior college state champion
from Minnesota, who showed he was as good as advertised as he won the 400m dash
in a time of 48.42. He would place third in the 200m dash, coming in at 22.48.
Newcomer Dennis Pugh came in fourth place in the 200m run in 22.67. Lee Williams
took the No.10 spot, running 23.45 to complete the trifecta of Rattlers in the
top 10.
Angel was pleased to see that Pollard has been able to adapt his successful
high school career to a solid college start. "You never know. When you have a
transfer to come in as decorated as Troy, the best way to find out if it
translates to the collegiate Division I level is to put them in a race against
solid competition, as was present today," Angel.
Sophomore Elias Chesire cruised to a victory in the mile run. He finished in
4:23.40, just ahead of senior teammate Lamere Buchanon, who ran 4:24.59 time.
Dieumy Duclos finished seventh in the race (4:35.34), while Robyel Kidane took
ninth place (4:41.05). Cheshire has qualified for the MEAC championships in both
the 3000m and mile run in just two events this season. The reigning MEAC Most
Outstanding Athlete for cross country, looks to maintain his dominance in the
conference in distance running.
Dual sport athlete Williams, who is also a member of the Rattler football
team, took fourth place in both the long jump and triple jump. He leaped 13.92m
(45-08.00) in the triple jump and 6.44m (21-01.50) in the long jump.
Corey Jones, also a newcomer to Angel's squad, took seventh place in the 55m
dash. He blazed the distance in just 6.56 to get a Top 10 finish.
Another on the Rattlers' new sprinters, Jabrelle Crawford, ran 51.44 in the
400m dash to finish 14th, while heptathlete Jean Leon grabbed the No.16 spot in
52.73. Leon would also place ninth in the long jump at 6.0m (19-08.25).
Veteran McDaniel Olivier got a fifth-place finish in the 800m run, finishing
that race in 1:56.98. Isaiah Smith would round out the team with a 1:58.88
finish, which was good for the No.10 position.
Dennis McGee finished fourth in the shot put. His toss of 14.39m (47-02.50)
was a crucial throw in a packed field of throwers. He would also take eighth
place in the weight throw at 13.10m (42-11.75), just ahead of teammate Xavier
Mackey's 12.29m (40-04.00).
Angel was pleased with the overall performance of the team. "I think there
were some solid performances today. (Troy) Pollard, (Elias) Cheshire and Dennis
McGee had admirable shwings today. We have a young team and we're trying to get
better. Each week we're making an improvement, so at this point I'm pleased with
our progress," Angel said.
The Rattlers will get back to the track on next Friday, Jan.25 at the Rod
McRavey Invitational (E.J. Nutter Field House) in Lexington, KY.
The following represents the updated list of track athletes who have
qualified for the MEAC Indoor Championships:
60m dash/Triple Jump: Lee Williams
400m dash: Troy Pollard
800m run:
Lamere Buchanon
800m run: Troy Pollard/McDaniel Olivier
Mile run: Kevin
Marindich/Elias Chesire/Lamere Buchanon
3000m: Dieumy Duclos/Robyel
Kidane
Shot put/Weight throw: Dennis McGee
Heptathlon Leon Jean
COURTESY FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
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