April 7, 2005

Columbia, SC - Sophomore Stephanie McNeill took the top spot in three separate events to contribute to The Citadel's first place victory with 128 total points at the South Carolina State Collegiate Championships hosted by the University of South Carolina Wednesday night. Seven of the state's colleges competed in the mid-week event as the Bulldogs had 15 women finish in the top three to earn All-State honors while outscoring South Carolina's modified team by four points.

McNeill placed first in the shot put, discus and hammer. She tossed an 11.97m in the shot put, a 34.50m in the discus and won the hammer with a throw of 37.54m.

Freshman Jodi Whittle broke her school and freshman records in the 200m (25.55) and 400m (58.00) placing first and second, respectively. Laura Hewston also finished second in the 1500m with a time of 5:14.61, her best time of the season.

The women also tallied a number of personal bests. Senior Kelly Pesterfield had a personal best high jump of 4'10" to finish third. Freshman Wilma Harp ran under 13 minutes for the first time to finish third in the steeplechase with a time of 12:50.54 and senior Mary Thornton bested her old mark by three seconds to finish third in the 800m in 2:32.21.

Freshman Tasha Sanders also had a personal best time running under 16 seconds for the first time in the 100 hurdles (15.96). Sanders also finished second in the shot put (37-1.25), fourth in the discus (109-1) and ran the second leg of the freshman school record 4 x 100 relay team (50.72). Other relays members were Christine DeVasto, Allison Taylor and Whittle. Taylor also had a personal best high jump of 4-8 and a personal best triple jump by over a foot with a leap of 32-10.5, finishing fourth. The Bulldogs next travel to Clemson, SC to compete in the Solid Orange Meet on Friday, April 16th hosted by Clemson University.