Three Claim Arkansas Invite Wins

Jan. 11, 2008

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- Tony Clement took top honors in the 800-meter run while Sheldon Leith claimed the title in the 60-meter hurdles and Shardae Boutte finished first in the long jump at the Arkansas Invitational Friday in Fayetteville, Ark.

In his first NCAA Division One race, junior college transfer Tony Clement took first in the 800 with a personal best 1:51.33, more than a second faster than second place Sean Zurko of Texas Christian.

Leith opened the 2008 season with the same success he had in 2007, running a 7.93 in the 60-meter hurdles finals after running a 7.99 in the prelims.

Oklahoma runners were successful in the 60-meter hurdles on the women's side as well as three newcomers finished in the top five. Latoya Greaves took second (8.42) while Demeeka Jones came in third (8.63). Latoya Heath rounded out the group with a fifth-place finish (8.69).

The 2007 Big 12 champion in the triple jump, Boutte opened the year with a strong start in the long jump, besting his previous personal record by more than eight inches, jumping 24 feet and 11.75 inches (7.61 meters).

On the women's side in the long jump, Heath claimed third with a best of 19-3.25 (5.87) while another newcomer Dominique Jacobs came in fifth with a best of 18-10.50 (5.75).

Junior Katherine Johnson jumped 5-6.00 (1.68) to finish in a three-way tie for second in the women's high jump.

On the men's side in high jump, sophomore Paul Gill made his debut in the Crimson and Cream, placing third with a best of 6-8.25 (2.04). Gill edged classmate Kevin Snyder, who finished fourth with a best of 6-8.25 (2.04), but had a miss at a previous height.

Junior Leslie Cole came in fourth in the 200-meter dash with a time of 24.31

Two freshman picked up top-five honors in the women's mile as Kelly Waters finished fourth with a time of 5:00.58 and Jessica Engel took fifth in 5:00.64.

Sophomore Rob Sorrell finished the 3,000-meter race in a time of 8:12.17, good for fourth.

Oklahoma men's distance medley relay team came in second with a time of 10:25.07.

Both the men's and women's 4x400 relay teams finished fourth with times of 3:13.94 and 3:43.48, respectively.

A trio of Sooners finished in the top eight in the 400-meter dash as Tijahnni Newton (56.28), Jasmine Still (56.49) and Cole (56.81) finished sixth, seventh and eighth, respectively.

OU returns to action Jan. 25-26 with a return trip to Fayetteville for the Razorback Invitiational.