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Torrin Lawrence, Charlene Lipsey
win athlete of the meet honors
Each breaks 23-year-old meet record
text and photos by John Dye
After a hot Florida sun settled in the west, Torrin Lawrence of Florida blazed a 20.77 200m into a slight headwind (-0.4) and Charlene Lipsey of New York won the 800 in 2:08.25. Each mark broke 23-year-old meet records, and Lawrence broke the great Xavier Carter's track record (21.24). Lawrence's time was #1 in the nation briefly until superceded later in the night at the Golden West. Each now head to the Nike Outdoor Nationals in Greensboro 2 weeks hence. Lawrence will run the 200 and 400 (where he is US#4) at NON.
Lawrence and Lipsey were all smiles after the meet:
photo by Donna Dye
Joe Franklin 4:15.29 mile
The Florida runner came in with an improbable goal of a sub-4 mile. This proved impossible with no competition on a hot evening. Franklin and Trevor Strachan of the Bahamas came through one lap together in 62 seconds, but Franklin drew out to a 50 meter lead by the half mile in 2:06. The lead was at least 100 meters after three laps in 3:09.
It was 93 degreees and very humid in the afternoon. When the mile started just before 8 pm, it was still in the 80s with the sun low in the west and a slight breeze. Franklin looked smooth and strong but he said afterward he was worn out and made mistakes. "I didn't stay with it mentally," Franklin said, bemoaning the lack of a rabbit. With former NCAA champion Jonathan Johnson setting the pace in an 800-meter race at the Running Zone All-Class Showdown in Melbourne May 9, Franklin sizzled 1:48.97, fastest prep time in the country this year.
"The most aggravating part is what people will say on the internet," Franklin said. "When people say you can't do it, I want to prove them wrong."
It should also be hot and humid at Greensboro 2 weeks from now at Nike Outdoor Nationals, but there will be plenty of competition. "I'll be ready," Franklin said. |  |
 | Freshman
Octavius
Freeman
doubles
11.66 +0.6 and 24.02 +0.1.
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Justin Murdock MD doubles
- wins 100 in 10.53, breaking Travis Padgett's track record (10.54 in 2003), and leads Meade MD to easy victory in closing 4x400 in 3:16.19. Murdock was second to Lawrence in the 200 in 21.06, which also bettered Xavier Carter's track record. |  |
 | A new Schappert star
Freshman Stephanie Schappert of Delray Beach FL (290) won the 1600 with a thrilling stretch run, coming from third at the bell to catch Amanda Perkins at the very finish, 5:06.78 to 5:06.82.
For Stephanie, it was vindication for a rough state meet, where she fell. It was also a proud moment for father Ken Schappert, whose offspring includes Ken Jr., who ran with the Jefferson twins on Atlantic's great relay teams of 2001, and daughter Nicole, who ran for Wake Forest after a stellar prep career. "Stephanie will be the best of the bunch," dad said.
Ken Sr. was a star runner for Villanova in the 1970s, winning the NCAA half-mile title and eight Penn Relays championships. |
Decatur GA runners get photo op with world champion sprinter Veronica Campbell
Golden South index page |
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