March 16, 2008

HATTIESBURG, Miss. ---- Freshman Erica Whitby led a small group of track and field athletes that competed at the USM Invitational Saturday at UAB's first outdoor meet of the season.

Whitby cleared the 1.70-meter mark in the high jump to capture third place for the Blazers. It was the first time this year that the freshman cleared the mark.

Senior Tara Colvin also had an impressive performance in the 800-meter run, placing ninth with a time of 2:21.58.

Another top finish for the Blazers was turned in by Jacinta Scruggs in the 200-meter dash. Scruggs finished the race in 25.33 seconds, good for a sixth-place finish. Amber Walker came in 16th (26.01) and Veronica Johnson placed 18th (26.22) in the race.

Walker also competed in the 100-meter dash where she placed 18th (12.82). Nora Mehl was the Blazers' top performer in the javelin, where she threw for a 28.32-meter mark, giving her a 13th place finish. Timara McMillan threw a 23.49 for a 17th-place finish.

McMillan also raced in the 100-meter hurdles and posted a 17.50 in the event.

Veronica Johnson competed in the 400-meter dash for UAB and finished with a time of 1:01.75.