University of North Texas Athletics
Green Gang: All-Access With Track From SBC Championships
2/28/2010 12:00:00 AM | Return to Play
By Ryan Kasmiersky
1:17 p.m., Monday, March 1
WE ARE FINALLY HOME!!!!!!!!!!!
Now back to work on everything else that I have to do. Everyone said they enjoyed their time at the SBC Track and I know I sure did.
Thanks for following us on our journey to Murfreesboro!
9:27 a.m., Monday, March, 1
After a very long and exciting weekend, we are back at the airport waiting to go home.
Indoor track is such a funny concept to me, maybe because of my event.
My name is Sallie Anderson, I run the 5000 meters. That is 19 laps around the tiny indoor track at MTSU.
I have a blister the size of a quarter on my foot to remember my race by and I just barely missed my personal record.
Good race for me, but what I remember the most from my race are the cheers I heard from my teammates who probably didn't know my name before this trip.
That's what I love about championship meets like this past one. We are finally able to all be together and compete as a team.
It's not just the sprinters or the jumpers or the distance runners. We are the North Texas track team. There is strength in team camaraderie and I felt that every lap of my 5000.
When we come together, amazing things happen. Like the 4x400 last night, it was incredible!
After 3 years on the team, I can honestly say that North Texas is making it's way to the top.
People are paying more and more attention to our accomplishments and giving us the respect we deserve.
Outdoor is what we train for and I am looking forward to making more memories with my teammates.
Oh and Reggie is STILL carrying the trophy.
9:07 a.m., Monday, March 1
What's happenin' Mean Green fans?
This is Chelsea Hermes, the newest member of the North Texas track team. This was my first time to travel with the team and only my second meet.
I've finally met everyone and got a chance to hang out with the team. I think we really came together this weekend and I'm excited for outdoor season. Everyone is ready to step it up to the next level so get ready for some awesome performances in the near future.
Last night everyone had a great time celebrating our great efforts this weekend. Couch McElroy was thrown into the pool with all her clothes on along with Suzy, Josh, and Ashley.
Right now we're waiting to board our flight back home (finally).
Reggie is still hugging the men's second place trophy like it's a baby about to be kidnapped.
BlogDawg (Ryan) might as well be asleep because he's making me do his work for him.
We can't wait to get back home and get back to work. Going for the gold in outdoor!
7:06 a.m., Monday, March 1
The much awaited departure from Murfreesboro is here. Everyone is getting on the bus as we speak and we're about to take off from the hotel.
We're scheduled to take off from Nashville a little before 10, so there better not be any weather issues back there!
When we land at noon, we'll pick up our bags and board the bus (assuming it's present and on-time).
Then back to Denton, where everyone will scatter and resume their normal schedules, which for me mean heading to my office and then softball game vs. Texas Tech which will have already started.
You guys go out and support them if you can for this big game. I know they'll appreciate it!
10:18 p.m., Sunday, February 28
Now that everything is done and I have a chance to reflect on the weekend, I have to say it has been a good one. I'm glad I will get to be a part of this team from here on out.
The men finished the highest they have ever finished at an indoor championship in program history, which should give them a ton of confidence heading into the outdoor season and ultimately the SBC Outdoor Championships which we will be hosting.
On the women's side, the team fought hard. The sprinters seem to dominate the conference going 1,2,3 in the 55-meter and 1,3 in the 200-meter.
The whole team was in a great mood afterwards on the bus ride to dinner, although I have to say, we can leave the terrible British accents in Murfreesboro with the Tennesseans.
All of the athletes are around the hotel smiling and doing things they haven't gotten a chance to do this weekend like relax and goof around.
I imagine Reggie Hayter is somewhere around here still holding that trophy and smiling, since that's all he could do after they received it.
I posted the All-Conference members in my story, but I figure I'll include them here too.
Another early wake-up call awaits is in the morning the bus leaves for the airport at 7 a.m. I will be back on and updating from the bus in the morning before we head back to DFW.
Can't wait to be back in Denton after a successful weekend.
All-Sun Belt Conference Members
Keyth Talley-
First in 55-meter dash
First in 200-meter dash
First in 4x400 relay
Alysha Adams-
First in 200-meter dash
First in 55-meter hurdles
First in 4x400 relay
Brittany Blaylock-
First in 4x400 relay
Second in 55-meter dash
Third in 200-meter dash
Jordan Wehr-
First in men's heptathlon
Third in men's high jump
Reggie Hayter-
First in 4x400 relay
Third in 800-meter run
Missy Barnes-
First in 55-meter dash
Brittany Simmons-
Third in 55-meter dash
Monica Dunn-
First in 4x400 relay
Rashunda Pierson-
First in 4x400 Relay
Justin Anderson-
Third in 55-meter dash
Montrell Pyron-
First in 4x400 relay
Russell Sams-
First in 4x400 relay
Suzy Prikryl-
Second in women's high jump
Lonnie Bacon-
Third in men's triple-jump
6:46 p.m., Sunday, February 28
Well the meet is over and the North Texas men pulled off a second place finish to Western Kentucky in exhilarating fashion.
Down one point to Louisiana-Lafayette for second with the 4x400 relay to go, the men's relay team went for first place and the full 10 points and finished six points up on Lafayette when it was all said and done.
The women finished in third overall behind Western Kentucky and Middle Tennessee.
I have to take some pictures of the awards ceremony, so I'll be back with my recap and a few entries later tonight.
Until then, go Mean Green!
5:04 p.m., Sunday, February 28
Four events to go here in Murfreesboro and it appears that first place is out of reach on both the men's and women's side.
Second, however, is still more or less in reach on both sides.
The 800-meter dash just completed for the mean with Reggie Hayter finishing at third with a 1:53.52.
The 200-meter dash is up next and the women have four runners in their final. Keyth Talley and Steven White will be in on the men's side.
I'll be back after the meet is concluded now to let you know how we ended up! Should be a close finish for second place.
4:02 p.m., Sunday, February 28
Hey guys (and gals) this is Eron Phillips blogging like a beast.
We just witnessed yet another win by Keyth Talley although he pulled it close.
The race horse laid down 6.24 in the 55 meters, but tied with Luther Ambrose.
The crowd and participants stared at the replay screen hoping his lean was what won his place.
In the end, the crown goes to North Texas sophomore, Keyth Talley!
The women swept the podium in the 55-meter dash with Missy Barnes setting a new school record of 6.96 seconds. Brittany Blaylock and Brittani Simmons were right behind her.
2:28 p.m., Sunday, February 28
Predictably, the men's open pole vault is going to run over it's time and it looks like the running events will have to start with the mats still in the outer lanes.
The sprints are scheduled to play out like this: 400 meter, 55-meter dash, 55-meter hurdles, 5,000 meter slow heat, 800-meter finals, 200-meter finals, 5,000 meter fast heat and then finish off with the mile relay.
All the events will run the women first, followed immediately by the men.
It's about to get really exciting here at the Murphy Center.
12:36 p.m., Sunday, February 28
A majority of the team has made it to the arena now as the running events draw within two hours of starting.
The men's heptathlon pole vault just ended, with Jordan Wehr taking another first place finish. The heptathlon is weird because regardless of order of finish, it's based on what you did as far as times and jumps to get your points.
He provided some interesting jumps at his last height, hitting the standard once and going backwards twice. All three had their own level of being scared for his health, but nothing bad happened and he's fine.
The 1000-meter is left for the men's hep and that will begin at 12:45.
I'm ready to get some running events underway at 2:30 and see just how pumped everyone is for having a shot at this meet.
11:07 a.m., Sunday, February 28
Back here at the Murphy Center with a bit of a later start for the final day of competition at the Sun Belt Indoor Track & Field Championships and there has already been some action today.
Jordan Wehr won another event in the men's heptathlon, this time the 55-meter hurdles. Wehr is in great position to break his own school and Sun Belt record today with only the pole vault and the 1000-meter remaining.
Kelli Johnson just qualified for the finals in the women's triple jump, going over 39 feet on one of her three jumps.
Everyone here in Murfreesboro would like to extend congratulations to the men's basketball team for winning the Sun Belt Western Division and locking up the No. 2 seed in the conference tournament. Good job guys!
Keep checking back with us as things promise to get very interesting as the day goes on!
12:17 a.m., Sunday, February 28
Well I just finished my recap and sent it out to the media from my desk in my hotel room. The hours of our sports information staff can definitely be stretched.
All-in-all, everyone feels really good about where we stand after today.
Both the men and women picked up a good amount of points on day one and with a plethora of runners advanced to tomorrows finals, you can look for the Mean Green to make a serious move at a title on both sides.
I will have a couple of athletes on here tomorrow, as we will hopefully have a Sun Belt Championship or two to report as well.
Hope you guys come back and keep up with us in the morning! Feel free to e-mail me any questions (Ryan.Kasmiersky@UNT.edu) and I will do my best to have either myself or at athlete answer them!
Good night Mean Green Nation!
10:18 p.m., Saturday, February 27
Hey there all you North Texas track fans this is Shelley Hollingsworth.
As a senior competing in my final indoor conference championship I couldn't help but reflect on just how much I will miss pole vaulting in the future.
However, today, as I joined my teammates in yet another fight for a team championship, I came to realize more fully how great it is to be part of this team. I love my teammates.
They are some of the coolest people I will ever know.
Although I jumped a personal best this morning, it would not have meant as much without my teammates there.
Thanks for taking the time to check out our blog. Hope you're enjoying this inside look at the SBC Indoor Championships.
9:20 p.m., Saturday, February 27
Who would agree with me that Keyth Talley is really fast?
Well the stunning sophomore just shattered a school record, took down the Sun Belt record, set an NCAA provisional qualifying mark all in one race... AGAIN. This really isn't a re-post, Talley really did this in two seperate preliminaries.
Yes, the prelims.
Talley's time of 20.98 seconds is .3 seconds faster than the school record, held by himself and Brandon Irabor.
So, in short, Talley is easily the fastest person I've ever met.
7:01 p.m., Saturday, February 27
Still here at the Murphy Center and sophomore Keyth Talley just set a Sun Belt Championship record, school record and NCAA provisional mark in the 55-meter dash, running it in 6.2 seconds, .15 seconds in front of any other competitor.
He broke Ed Simon's 32 year-old record of 6.24.
I'll catch you up a little on what you've missed so far in the running prelims.
Reggie Hayter will represent the Mean Green in the finals of the 800-meter dash tomorrow after posting the third-fastest time in the prelims with a 1:54.76
North Texas will have two representatives in the women's 400-meter. Fallyn Farrow and Janesa Moore both qualified and will start in lanes seven and eight.
Steven White and Montrell Pyron will be racing the finals of the 400-meter dash for the men as well.
I'll be back to update the rest of the races in a few minutes.
4:21 p.m., Saturday, February 27
Hello Mean Green Nation! This is assistant track Coach Sammy Dabbs joining in with Ryan and letting you guys know where we are and what we have to do for the rest of the day.
Suzy Sprikryl and Haley Thompson just tied for second in the women's open high jump which is a great thing for us!
Overall though, I think we've done well so far.
We have a lot of young people and with that we know we're going to take our lumps a little bit. I think we have competed well.
The running coming up here starting at 5 p.m. is the most important part. We have to get as many people as possible to the finals.
I think the 55-meter dash is huge for the women. We have the top-three marks coming and I can't stress enough how they have to get it done today and get to the finals tomorrow.
For the men it's not so much just Keyth Talley but Montrel Pyron, Steven White and Justin Anderson who have to make the difference.
Keep following us in our pursuit for a Sun Belt Conference title, and let Ryan know if you guys have any questions!
2:58 p.m., Saturday, Februrary 27
Back at the track and ready for the women's open high jump. The Mean Green has three athletes in this competition.
Kelli Johnson, Haley Thompson, who set a new personal best clearing 5'6" early this morning, and Suzy Prikryl will try to sweep the podium.
While I was gone, Jordan Wehr placed third in the open high-jump with his last clear coming at 6'6 ¾".
Wehr is also in first in the heptathlon, which will continue again tomorrow with the final three events, the pole vault, 1000-meter and the 55-meter hurdles.
North Texas is sitting in good position at the moment, so we will have to see how the rest of the day plays out. Back with more in a little while!
1:17 p.m., Saturday, February 27
I'm back at the hotel for some lunch and brief relaxation before finishing the day at the track.
The busses run back-and-forth every two hours, so the athletes have a chance to get ready and go at their own pace.
Two more athletes to note from the action this morning, pole vaulters Kelli Delka and Shelley Hollingsworth set personal records and will score points in the event.
Only three vaulters advanced farther than the Mean Green duo, all from Arkansas State. The women's pentathlon and men's heptathlon were still underway when I left and should be finishing up about the time I get back.
There is quiet confidence around the North Texas camp. Everyone feels as if both the mean and women have a chance to make some noise and maybe take the titles.
Sprinting will start around 2 or so and will tell the tale when it comes to overall conference champions. A good showing today for qualifying is a must.
If everyone come out and does there job, watch out Sun Belt Conference.
Also, I have been informed that the Conference's live results are not working and have since let them know. Hopefully we will get that up soon.
Don't forget to e-mail me your questions or comments and I will get to those a little later.
11:09 a.m., Saturday, February 27
The high-jump for the women's pentathlon just concluded and freshman Haley Thompson won the event.
Thompson set three personal bests on her way to clearing a height of 5 feet six inches.
Jordan Wehr sits in second after three events in the men's heptathlon, which now moves on to the high-jump.
The sprinters that have yet to make it to the Murphy Center as their events won't start until around 2, but should be arriving just after noon.
Over-all, it's been a good morning for North Texas Track & Field with plenty more to come. I'll be back in a little bit with more from Murfreesboro!
8:38 a.m., Saturday, Feburary 27
Good morning from the Murphy Center everyone.
The multi-events are under way, including the men's heptathlon with school-record holder Jordan Wehr. All of the multi-events and field events will be this morning, followed by the sprinting preliminaries, which get underway this afternoon.
Everyone that rode over to the Murphy Center on the 8 a.m. bus was cheery and in good spirits.
They are all watching the women's pentathlon at the moment, which is about to begin its second event, the high jump.
North Texas has three student-athletes participating in this event, Haley Thompson, Kelli Johnson and Chelsea Hermes.
Don't forget to check out the live results online and heat sheets for the times of the events you want to watch. There is a link to the live feed from the Sun Belt Conference in the very first post from yesterday morning.
You can also e-mail me (RyanKasmiersky@UNT.edu) any questions there may be for any of the athletes, and I will get them to answer as many as possible. There may also be a few guest bloggers this afternoon, which range anywhere from athletes to coaches.
Also want to give a shout-out to the basketball teams in Monroe. Good luck from everyone here in Murfreesboro!
9:46 p.m., Friday, February 26
As promised, here is the link for the heat sheets and live results via Delta Timing Systems. LIVE RESULTS
Team meeting was nothing too exciting. Coach Watkins just went over the protocol and goals for the weekend. In case you were wondering, goal number one for every athlete is to make the finals.
During our lobby meeting, I was sitting with North Texas track's athletic training guru Jake Mannis and Chelsea Hermes, one of the women's multi-event athletes.
Hermes, who's favorite event is the 55-meter hurdles, mentioned that she was looking forward to starting the meet tomorrow and that the long day of travel hasn't done anything to dampen the spirits of the Mean Green.
From the meeting everyone scattered around; some athletes to dinner, some to their rooms and to bed for early wake-up calls and others to Wal-Mart.
For those of us that made it to Wal-Mart we found out one thing. Do not ask people From Tennessee what they're called.
Tennessean is the answer we finally got after numerous people thought we were making a joke about the native folk and refused to speak with us.
It's about time to head downstairs and catch the end of this Canada vs. Slovakia semi-final hockey game and then to bed. Remember to send me those e-mail questions and I'll get to as many as possible tomorrow during the meet.
Good night North Texas!
5:13 p.m., Friday, February 26
Well, I have to say that the Murphy Center was everything I had been told from my counter-parts.
Picture a hard rubber mat with a track painted on top, but instead of having a field in the middle, there is a bowl of seats and Middle Tennessee's basketball floor.
Yes, that's right; the track is at the top of the basketball arena. I've never seen anything like it.
From the track the team went straight to lunch. No one had eaten since we left Denton at 8 a.m., so it was a time every one was looking forward to.
The bus ride to our Murfreesboro hotel turned into a 10 minute rendition of every bad accent you can think of from the back of the bus.
The only bonus I can see from that, other than having a chance to briefly joke about some of the athletes with Coach Dabbs, is that the whole team is still in good spirits despite having 5 am wake-up calls this morning.
I received an e-mail from Courtland Jindra earlier that I'd like to throw out there for you all.
"Would you give our men or women a better shot at their respective title?"
I think that both teams have a pretty decent shot at bringing home titles. Obviously, it would be easier to take the men with Keyth Talley and Jordan Wehr being the most talented people on the team, but the women have some great sprinters too.
The field events will tell the tale here in Murfreesboro. If the team can gets some unexpected points in those, the chance they bring one or both home goes up.
Feel free to shoot me an e-mail (Ryan.Kasmiersky@UNT.edu) if you want to ask any of the athletes, coaches or myself a question.
I'll be back after the team meeting with a little later a link to the heat sheets for tomorrow.
11:43 a.m., Friday, February 26
Somehow, after the debacle that was the bus situation in Denton, we got to the airport, checked all 50-something bags, got through security and made our flight.
Amazingly, the people in Tennessee have no problems being on time with their busses because it was there waiting for us.
The plan is to head to the track for an hour or so before grabbing some much needed lunch.
I hear a lot of interesting things about the indoor track at Middle, so I'm a little anxious to see if those reports are accurate.
8:03 a.m., Friday, February 26
After nearly two hours the bus has finally showed and we are en route to DFW for our 9:45 flight to Nashville.
There was a bit of confusion before this driver showed.
Apparently, the school of merchandising has themselves a fieldtrip today as well, so when their bus showed up (presumably on time) almost twenty minutes before ours, the team naturally thought it was time to go.
Hopefully this bus incident will be just a minor bump in the road of a successful weekend in Tennessee.
Maybe it'll be something to look back on and laugh about on Monday. In the words of Coach Watkins though, "At least we aren't going to Ames, Iowa again."
6:36 a.m., Friday, February 26
Well, it looks like we are already changing the itinerary. We are still sitting at Fouts Field waiting for the bus driver to show up with the bus to take us to DFW airport. Word around the room is that our originally scheduled bus driver misread his instructions and thought he was supposed to be here at 6 p.m. instead of a.m. Just a mere 12-hour difference.
There is supposed to be a new bus driver on the way, and we should be headed out here in the next half an hour.
Don't forget to e-mail me with any questions you may have for coach Watkins, any of the track athletes, or even myself at Ryan.Kasmiersky@UNT.edu.
I'll be checking back in a little bit with another update!
6:02 a.m. Friday, February 26
Follow your North Texas Track & Field teams as they travel to and compete at the Sun Belt Indoor Track Championships this weekend in Murfreesboro, Tenn.
I will be providing updates throughout the weekend about anything and everything Mean Green track related, from travel updates to event-by-event results as they come in.
You can also catch all the action from the 2010 Sun Belt Conference Indoor Track and Field Championship live from the Murphy Center in Murfreesboro, Tenn. This SBC Extra exclusive will be free for anyone to watch.
Just fill out the required registration information on SunBeltSports.org and get ready for the excitement to be streamed live to your computer February 27 and 28.
SBC Extra is a broadband video channel that is the ultimate place for fans of Sun Belt member schools on the web! SBC Extra is powered by SunBeltSports.org, the Official web site of the Sun Belt Conference.
