Two OU Records Fall Saturday

May 9, 2009

NORMAN, Okla. — Saturday's Sooner Twilight at the John Jacobs Track and Field Complex was set as a tune up for next weekend's Big 12 Championships. Two OU athletes took their performances a little further than just a tune up as Ti'Anca Mock and Mikaela Johansson broke program records in the long jump and hammer throw, respectively. The two were part of 15 OU athletes who recorded NCAA Regional qualifying marks while Mock was one of three Sooners to automatically qualify for the 2009 U.S. Outdoor Track and Field Championships.

In her first long jump action of the outdoor season, Mock moved atop the Big 12 leaderboard and to No. 2 in the nation Saturday with a top jump of 21-9.50 (6.64). The jump also automatically qualified the sophomore for the 2009 U.S. Outdoor Track and Field Championships.

On her fifth attempt, Mock soared through the air to break the previous 15-year old program record of 21-4.75 (6.52) set by Kim Roland in 1994. Mock completed the program record sweep after breaking the indoor long jump program record earlier this year with a jump of 20-11.75 (6.39). The jump also broke a 27-year old John Jacobs Track and Field Complex record of 21-5.50 (6.54), set by Kansas' Halycon McKnight in 1982.

Mock was one of two Sooners to improve their season marks in the long jump as Scottesha Miller finished third with a jump of 20-3.50 (6.18), good for fifth in the Big 12.

For the third straight week, Johansson extended her own program record in the hammer throw with a second-place finish in the event. After tossing the implement a distance of 191-8 (58.43) at last week's Arkansas Twilight, Johansson furthered the distance Saturday with a regional qualifying throw of 196-5 (59.87).

Leslie Cole lowered her season time in the 400 as she took first in the event with a regional qualifying time of 52.25. The time is also under the A standard for the U.S. Championships. With the performance, Cole ranks second in the Big 12 and sixth in the nation.

The women's shot put saw Karen Shump, competing unattached as she redshirts, win the event with OU's third U.S. Championships automatic qualifying standard of the day, a throw of 56-4.00 (17.17). Amy Backel finished second in the event with a regional qualifying distance of 49-11.25 (15.22). Shump also qualified for the discus in the U.S. Junior Track and Field Championships with a throw of 178-4 (54.37).

The hurdles saw three OU athletes lower their season times including a PR by one. Latoya Heath started things out in the women's 100-meter hurdles with a regional qualifying time of 13.47 before D'Andre Fisher stepped on the track for the men's 110-meter hurdles, crossing the line in a personal best time of 14.08. Heath's time ranks third in the Big 12 Conference.

A longer version of the hurdles gave OU the same result as Zach Dawson lowered his time in the event with a regional qualifying 51.24, winning the event in the process. Dawson's performance moves the junior to fourth on the Big 12 performance list.

The women's 4x100-meter relay of Sherine Wells, Miller, Cole and Mock won the event with a regional qualifying time of 44.47. The time is the seventh fastest in program history. The four rank third in the Big 12 with a season-best time of 44.26.

The Big 12's top two athletes in the men's discus, Luke Bryant and Colin Quirke finished one-two in the event Saturday as both recorded regional qualifying throws. Bryant's 184-5 (56.22) was enough to hold off Quirke's 181-2 (55.23) for the event win.

A true freshman, Wells lowered her season time in the 100-meter dash, winning the event with a regional qualifying 11.64. Another freshman, Mookie Salaam, lowered his time in the 100 as he finished second, first among collegiate competitors, in the event with a regional qualifying time of 10.43. The time ranks fourth in the Big 12.

Katelyn Penner opened the day with a win in the women's javelin as the freshman recorded a regional qualifying distance of 151-0 (46.03). Penner currently ranks fifth in the Big 12 with a top throw of 151-11 (46.32).

Adrian Wiltshire eclipsed the regional qualifying standard in the men's long jump Saturday, finishing third overall with a jump of 24-1.75 (7.36). Wiltshire became the fourth Sooner this year to accomplish the feat as Will Claye, Alex Madkins and Neelon Greenwood had all previously jumped their way into the NCAA Midwest Regional long jump competition.

Saturday's meet marks the final meet of the regular season as OU competes in next weekend's Big 12 Championships in Lubbock, Texas. Following the meet, the Sooners will have a week off before hosting the NCAA Midwest Regional, May 29-30.

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