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Jackets have strong showing with limited squad in first indoor meet of season

Dec. 7, 2008

Complete Results

Murfreesboro, Tenn. - Sophomore Hunter Clasen won the men's 500 meter run to lead 12 Yellow Jackets to top-five finishes at the MTSU Christmas Invitational on Saturday evening in Murfreesboro, Tenn.

"For an early December meet, we had some great performances," men's head coach Grover Hinsdale said. "We accomplished a lot of good things and I am pleased with our overall effort."

Clasen's victory came in a pace of 1:04.22, as seniors Matt DiDia (1:05.00) and DeMario Johnson (1:05.33) finished in fourth and fifth, respectively, in the same event for the Jackets.

Dave Ford also had a strong showing for the men in the running events, as the senior picked up a third-place finish in the 55 meter hurdles with a time of 7.50.

In the men's triple jump, junior Alphonso Jordan (50-02.25) placed second while senior Nigel Orr (49-01.00) placed third. Orr's other top-five finish came in the long jump, where he leaped to a distance of 23-04.25.

On the women's side, the two lone competitors performed well in their collegiate debuts. Freshman Melanie Akwule finished second in the 55 meter hurdles (first among collegiate performers) in a time of 8.09. The Burke, Va. native, was also second in the triple jump as she posted a mark of 37 feet, 11 1/2 inches.

The Jackets will have a little over a month off in preparation for the Clemson Invitational Jan. 9-10 in Clemson, S.C.