Feb. 6, 2009
AUBURN, Ala. - Freshman Marcus Rowland won the men's 60-meter dash to highlight competition for the Auburn men's and women's track and field teams Friday during the opening day of the Sykes-Sabock Challenge Cup hosted by Penn State.
Rowland cruised to a winning time of 6.68 seconds in the finals to win his second straight 60-meter title in two tries this season. His time was just shy of his season-best and NCAA provisional time of 6.66 seconds that ranks tied for fifth in the NCAA this year. He also had the fastest time in the prelims of 6.72.
"Marcus looked good," said head coach Ralph Spry. "There was nobody close to him and he won pretty handily. He already had one of the fastest times in the nation, so we just had him focus on mechanical things and try to put two good races together, which he did."
In the women's 60 meters, junior Shaquela Williams finished third with a time of 7.48 seconds that ranks her eighth in Auburn indoor history. Sophomore Cache Armbrister was fifth in 7.57 seconds.
Junior Danielle Gilchrist finished third in the women's 60-meter hurdles in 8.66 seconds, while sophomore Latoya Parkinson was fourth with a time of 8.74. Gilchrist and Parkinson ran times of 8.63 and 8.73 seconds, respectively, in the prelims.
In the men's weight throw, freshman Wesley Wright was third with a mark of 17.48 meters (57-4.25).
Other top-five finishers for Auburn included sophomore Cathryn Albright in the 5,000 meters (17:51.47) and sophomore Erika Akins in the long jump (5.49 meters, 18-0.25).
Competition at the Sykes-Sabock Challenge Cup continues Saturday when 21 of the 35 events will take place.