Jan. 28, 2005

Results

CHAPEL HILL --- The University of North Carolina women's track team swept the running events and senior Laura Gerraughty set a new school record in the weight throw to highlight the first day of action in the UNC Invitational at the Eddie Smith Field House in Chapel Hill. The Tar Heels also triumphed in both the men's and women's distance medley on Friday.

The highlight of the day was the women's weight throw. Erin Gilreath, the 2003 NCAA champion in the women's weight throw, established a new world best mark of 79 feet, 1.25 inches to win the event. Gilreath, formerly of the University of Florida, broke her own record in her second throw of the competition.

Gerraughty thrice broke her own school record in finishing third with a throw of 67-6 1/4 in the final round, almost two feet better than her previous best of 65-6 1/2. The mark also automatically qualifies her for the NCAA Championships, making her the first Tar Heel to obtain an automatic qualifying mark so far this season.

Candice Scott of Florida almost made it three records in one flight, as she narrowly missed breaking the collegiate record of 77-2 she established just two weeks ago. Scott, the defending NCAA champion in the event, finished second with a top throw of 76-2 3/4.

On the track, Carolina women won titles in the 400, 5,000 and distance medley. Georgia Kloss took the 400 in 57.23, with teammate Colleen Farley just behind in fourth with a time of 58.35. Nicole Boykin triumphed in the 5,000, winning in 17:52.14. The women also took the distance medley, easily outdistancing the field with a time of 11:41.96.

The UNC men made it a distance medley sweep, taking the event with a winning time of 10:12.71. The men also finished with a pair of runner-up performances. Sheldon Rivens was second in the long jump with a leap of 23-08 1/4. Nick Owens had a new personal best in finishing second in the weight throw with a mark of 61-9 3/4, the third-best throw in school history.

With three events still to go, Rob Bates is second in the men's heptathlon with 2,875 points.

Action starts up again tomorrow morning at 10 a.m.