May 5, 2001
Piscataway, NJ (www.hurricanesports.com) – All-American Kareen Clarke (Lithonic, GA) finished first in the triple jump while freshman Jennifer Penrose (Mesa, AZ) took first in the shot put to highlight the second day of competition at the BIG EAST Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Piscataway, NJ.
Miami (35 points) is in second-place after two days of competition and is attempting to win its third BIG EAST Outdoor Championship in the last four seasons. Miami, which finished second last season, won back-to-back titles in 1998 and 1999. Host Rutgers leads the team competition with 39 points.
Clarke, a junior, posted a mark of 13.21 meters (43-04.25) to narrowly defeat teammate Antonnikka Owens (Orlando, FL). Owens finished second with a leap of 13.19 meters (43-03.25).
“I thought I had a solid performance today,” said Clarke. “Last year I thought I gave the championship away and I was determined to not let that happen again. I feel I’ve put myself in good position heading into nationals.”
The win gives Clarke a season sweep of the BIG EAST indoor and outdoor triple jump championships.
Overall the Hurricanes had four jumpers finish in the top seven. Sophomore Gina Harris (Philadelphia, PA) finished fifth with jump of 12.50 meters (41-00.25) while junior Raquel Scott (Dallas, TX) took seventh (12.11 meters/39-08.75).
In a the day’s most dramatic finish, Penrose won the BIG EAST shot put title on the final throw of the competition. In second place with one throw remaining, Penrose recorded a toss of 15.11 meters (49-07.00) to overtake Seton Hall’s Jana Burton (14.79 meters/48-06.25) for the title. Penrose, ranked 26th in the nation in the shot put, becomes the first Hurricane woman to win a BIG EAST title in a throwing event.
“I was confident coming in and knew that if I concentrated on my fundamentals I could win this meet,” said an emotional Penrose. “But to pull it out on my last throw makes this even more special.”
Also highlighting Saturday’s action was sophomore Saraque Whittaker (Ft. Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas) who set a school-record in the semifinals of the 400-meters. Whittaker advanced to Sunday’s final by winning her heat with a time of 53.46. The time also provisionally qualifies her for the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, May 30-June 2, in Eugene, OR.
Sophomore Jamillah Wade (Philadelphia, PA) also ran well finishing first in her semifinal heat of the 400-hurdles (1:00.52) to advance to Sunday’s final. Wade, ranked 21st in the nation in 400-hurdles, also advanced to the finals of the 100-hurdles with a time of 14.34.
Freshman Dore Madere (Dallas, TX) finished eighth in the discus with a throw of 42.94 meters (140-10.00).