Track Solid in Opener

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SALISBURY, Md. - Shenandoah University opened its 2010 outdoor track & field season Saturday afternoon with a pair of top four finishes at the Salisbury University Opener.

The SU men had 83.3 points to finish third of eight teams in the meet while the Hornet women, with 72 points, were fourth of nine.

The two teams combined for 50 top 10 performances.

Sophomore Josiah Renton was the top performer on the two teams with wins in the 1500 meters, 4:11, and 800 meters, 1:59.1.

Renton edged out his teammate, Tim Robinson, in the 800. Robinson finished second in that event with a 2:02.6.

Renton's classmate, Jake Garcia, was the top collegiate finisher in the men's steeplechase at 10:25.6 and was second overall to coach Andy Marrocco, who won the event as an unattached runner with a 10:23.7.

Sophomore Amy Smith had no such issues in the 3000 meter steeplechase, winning it with a 12:13.5. In the 5000 meters, she was second with a school record 19:09.

Smith was one of two women with multiple top finishes - senior Kelley Mitchell was second in the discus, 32.32 meters, third in the shot, 10.60 meters, and fourth in the hammer, 35.80 meters.

In the 800 meters, Justine Hastings and Brandi Sobanko were second and third, respectively, with 2:30.7 and 2:39.3.

Roni Frye and Hastings, at 5:09.5 and 5:10.0, both broke the school record in the 1500 meters. Frye finished third and Hastings fourth.

Philip Volz rounded out the men's top finishers with a fourth place showing in the long jump. He had a leap of 6.07 meters.

In the relay events, the men's group of Kevin Johnson, Terrence Jones, Kirk Lewis and Volz won the 4 x 100 meters with a 45.19.

In the 4 x 400 meters, Sobanko, Hastings, Frye and Smith finished third with a 4:40.5. The men's group of Johnson, Robinson, Renton and Lewis was second at 3:31.1

Both teams are back in action on March 20 at Mary Washington.