COLUMBIA, S.C. – Junior thrower
Sade Meeks set program records in both the shot put and the weight throw to highlight the Dolphins' final tune-up before the ASUN Conference Championships, as the Jacksonville University women's track and field team competed at the USC Indoor Open, Saturday afternoon at South Carolina's Carolina Indoor Track and Field Complex.
Noting the preparation by Meeks and Dolphin throwing coach
Chip Brundage, Director of Track & Field and Cross Country
Ron Grigg stated, "Coach Brundage knew Sade was ready for big throws. She was the star of the show today. Now the entire program gets laser-focused on next week's ASUN Championships."
"This was a great weekend for us – it gives us confidence going into next week's conference meet. [Meeks went] from walk-on to record holder – two indoor and one outdoor. It took a lot of work on Sade's part to make this happen. I am proud to be called her coach," added Brundage.
Opening the morning with the shot put, Meeks broke the Dolphins' indoor record on her first attempt (14.96 meters) before she tossed her record-setting mark of 15.09 meters (49 feet, 6.25 inches) to place second overall and secure the Dolphins' indoor program record. While she owns the Dolphins' outdoor record, Meeks surpassed the previous indoor record (14.60m/48 ft., 0 in.), set in 2009 by Ronnisha Hall and tied earlier this season by freshman
Alana Lecointe.
Competing in the weight throw later in the day, Meeks unleashed a monster throw on her first attempt for 20.67m (67 ft., 9.75 in.). Her mark not only sets the Dolphins' record and surpasses Kree Clark's previous mark (20.25m / 66 ft., 5.25 in.) set back in 2016, but also breaks South Carolina's facility record. With her mark today, Meeks leads the ASUN and ranks 22nd nationally in the event.
The entire Dolphin throwing contingent fared well in Columbia, as the Dolphins took home four more top-10 finishes. Lecointe came away with a podium finish in the shot put with a third-place toss of 14.17m (46 ft., 6 in.) and classmate
Alyssia Richard placed sixth overall (13.65m / 44 ft., 9.5 in.). In the weight throw, junior
Erika Earwood took fourth overall (16.50m / 54 ft., 1.75 in.) and sophomore
Grace Artis placed eighth (15.67m / 51 ft., 5 in.).
Moving to the track, senior
Shalah Smiling was the top collegian in the 60-meter dash final and placed seventh overall with a time of 7.53. She previously ran a 7.57 in the prelims to take third in her heat. Newcomer
Shantae McDonald also placed among the meet's best after she took seventh in the 60-meter hurdles (8.73) after she took fourth in the prelims in 8.67.
The Dolphins now prepare for the ASUN Conference Championships, which take place next weekend (Feb. 28 and 29) at Liberty's Indoor Track Complex.
