University of South Carolina Upstate Athletics
Niswonger Invitational
More Records Fall on Day Two of Niswonger Invitational
1/23/2010 12:00:00 AM | Track and Field
Jan. 23, 2010
Niswonger Invitational Complete Results
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. - For the second consecutive day, the USC Upstate track and field team broke or tied school records. The Spartans were lead by Gilbert Kemboi on the final day of competition at the Niswonger Invitational.
Kemboi (Eldoret, Kenya/Kangetuny) won the 5000-meter run in his first collegiate meet. The freshman's time of 14:35.19 shattered the previous school mark of 16:07.98. The previous record was set by James Jackson (Aiken, S.C./Aiken) at last season's Niswonger Invitational (1/31/09).
"For our first meet of the season, I was very proud of the effort that was given by all of our athletes," said head coach Jimmy Stephens. "For our freshmen, a meet of this caliber can be overwhelming, but they definitely stepped up to the challenge this weekend. Gilbert's performance today was amazing! This is one of the premier meets in the country and to be in the top-10 is great, but to win, is outstanding. "
Also having a strong run in the event was David Dennison (Carlisle, Pa./Carlisle). Dennison posted a mark of 16:12.92 which placed him 34th in the event and third all-time in the record book.
Two other Spartans competed in the 5000-meter run. James Jackson (16:23.17) finished 41st, while Matt Henderson (Inman, S.C./Dorman) finished 47th as he came in at 16:41.93.
Another school record was broken by freshman Cameron Thomas (Niceville, Fla./Niceville). In the 3000-meter run, Thomas finished 28th with a mark of 9:13.64. He surpassed Matt Henderson's mark of 9:22.40 that Henderson set at the Carolina Invitational (2/13/09).
Justin Crawford (Elgin, S.C./Lugoff-Elgin) tied his own school record for the second time as he cleared 14-07.25 (4.45m) in the pole vault. Crawford's set the mark at the Clemson Games (1/31/09) and tied it at the Atlantic Sun Indoor Championships (2/20/09).
In the women's 5000-meter run, Carolyne Chelulei (Eldoret, Kenya/Alliance Girls) finished second overall with an event time of 17:37.15. Her time came in less than five seconds off of the school mark (17:32.95) set by Emily Tangwar (Eldoret, Kenya/Lareto) at last season's A-Sun Indoor Championships.
Jemeli Sang (Eldoret, Kenya/ Biwott Bgelel-Tarit) set a personal-best of 17:52.20. Her previous best was set at last season's A-Sun Championship when she finished with a time of 17:58.80.
The Spartans will next compete next Friday and Saturday when they head down to Clemson, S.C. when they compete in the Clemson Games.
