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Issue date: 3/28/08 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Tim Lester, Photographer Freshman Tyler Orlando plunges his way over the pole vault standards during a weekday practice.

Media Credit: Tim Lester, Photographer Junior Kyndel Howell leaps over a hurdle during practice in preparation for this weekends meet at UT-Arlington.

While the majority of the student body was indulging in a little rest and relaxation during spring break, the ASU track and field team was running, jumping and, most importantly, qualifying.

In three competitions stretching from March 13 to March 22, the Rams and Rambelles saw five athletes obtain provisional qualifying marks in their respective events.

At the Tarleton State Relays in Stephenville on March 13, Ashley Painter won the gold medal in the 400-meter hurdles. Her time of 62.98 seconds in the race was strong enough to provisionally qualify her for the NCAA Division II championships.

"We had great performances on the track [at Tarleton]," head coach James Reid said, "and our mile relays ran extremely well."

The 'Belles took home the gold medal in the 4x400 relay (3:53), winning by over ten seconds. On the men's side there was an equal amount of success with the Rams' two-mile relay teams finishing first (3:18) and second (3:21).

'Belle distance runners competed strong at Tarleton with Paige Massingill taking the top spot (10:46) in the 3000-meter run. Brittney Heath finished third (11:02) behind Massingill.

Yvette Pender continued to dominate in the sprints, winning the 100-meter dash (12.21) and taking home second place in the 200-meter dash (25.62). Sara Hooker also medaled in the 400-meter dash, taking home the bronze with a time of (58.76). Kyndell Howell won the 100-meter hurdles (15.82) and was followed in the second slot by Chrystal Ruiz (15.87).

In the field, Adree Lakey bettered her already provisional qualifying distance with a hammer throw of 51.64 m. She would also go on to win the shot put (14.47 m) and discus (47.78 m).

Another success came from Whitney Law who took home the silver medal in the pole vault (3.51 m), while Howell continued her run, finishing second in the long jump (5.29 m).

The men also showed their prowess on the track with Jeremy Jones finishing first in the 110-meter hurdles (14.63) and in the 400-meter hurdles (55.39). Brian Holik was second (57.40) in the 400-meter hurdles. Raymond Hickem sprinted his way to a third place finish in the 200-meter dash (22.14) and a bronze medal in the long jump (6.51 m). Shannon Cunningham won the gold medal in the 3000-meter steeplechase (10:18).

The 4x100 relay was also impressive for the Rams, finishing third (42.27). David Browne continued his stellar freshman season with a second place finish in the discus (47.57 m). Other throwers that medaled included Wade Goode, winning the silver in the shot put (15.51 m); Andrew Crookman, taking the silver in the hammer throw (44.85 m) and Tyler Orlando, winning the bronze in the javelin throw (56.58 m). Allison Andrew rounded out the top performers in the field for the Rams with a second place finish in the pole vault (4.57 m).

The track and field team got back into action at home on March 20 at the ASU Spring Break Multi-Events. The meet produced three provisional qualifying marks for the national meet.

Jake Halfmann soared above and beyond the competition in the decathlon, winning the gold medal. Halfmann got off to a fantastic start on the first of the two days of events, totaling five personal bests.

The sophomore was equally impressive the second day, posting a personal best in the pole vault (12' 9") to capstone an outstanding performance.

"It's great to just be healthy," Halfmann said. Halfmann suffered a foot injury last spring that hampered his training.

"Now I can relax a little bit in the upcoming meets knowing I've hit the provisional marks."

Chase Moore also hit the provisional qualifying marks for the national meet at the Multi-Events meet. The junior was electric in day two of the competition, rising from eighth place after day one, to finish fourth. Moore transferred to ASU from Lone Star Conference rival Tarleton State.

"Coach Reid is great with decathletes," Moore said, "I knew ASU would be the place to follow under the success he has had."

Along with being under Reid's distinguished tutelage, both decathletes expect to feed off of each other.

"When you get to train every day with a guy who has qualified for nationals, it's pretty special," Halfmann said.

In the heptathlon Kyndel Howell hit provisional national qualifying marks and finished in second place. The junior posted a personal best in the 800-meter (2:30) to cap off a solid two days.

"To have all three hit qualifying marks is more than we can ask for," Reid said.

Both the Rams and Rambelles will be back in action Saturday at the UTA Invitational in Arlington.

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