Track & Field Earns Five First-Place Finishes at the Seahawk Shootout

Friday, December 9

Ocean Breeze, N.Y.

All Day

Temple University

Seahawk Shootout

Track & Field Earns Five First-Place Finishes at the Seahawk Shootout

12.9.16 | Women's Track and Field

Ocean Breeze, N.Y. – Temple women's track and field competed at the Seahawk Shootout on Friday hosted by Wagner University. The Owls left Ocean Breeze with first-place finishes in the 60, 300, 600, and 1600 meter races as well at the 4x400 relay.

In Temple's first race, senior Jimmia McCluskey topped her competition. The Maryland native ran a 7.84 to take first place in the 60 meter dash.

"Out of my three years coaching at Temple, this is the healthiest Jimmia has been," said Forde. "I think today's performance will resonate with her and help to boost her confidence level for the rest of the season."

In the 60 meter hurdles senior Simone Brownlee took third place overall after running a 9.10. Sophomore Crystal Jones came in at no. 4 with a time of 9.22, while senior Sydnee Jacques took sixth with a 9.42.

In her first 1600 in the United States, freshman Millie Howard outran a field of 28 participants with a personal best time of 4:55.30.

"Millie really stood out today," said Forde. "She was able to set a personal record for herself in her first track & field meet in the U.S. She was very excited to get her track career underway at Temple and was very poised in her stride."

In the 300 meter race, senior Kenya Gaston earned Temple's third first-place finish of the day. Gaston finished in 40.32, a very impressive feat for the squad.

Jazmyne Williams competed in the 600 meter race for the first time at the Seahawk Shootout. The freshman earned first place after running a 1:38.39.

"Jazmyne's performance today gave me great expectations for her first season as a Temple Owl," said Forde. "We are still learning what her strengths will be, but as she ran today, she was very in control which really impressed us."

Next up, junior Katie Pinson took on the 3K race. After a challenging cross country season, Pinson was able to finish in 10:15.45, earning second place out of 18 participants.

"When you look at the cross country season Katie had, today's performance boded very well for her," said Forde. "Her second-place finish will build her confidence and foreshadows the kind of indoor season she will have this year."

Temple raced only one team in the 4x400. The squad of Gaston, Jones, Madison Beecher, and Williams finished the relay in 3:59. 24 in the field of eight teams.

"All in all we have some work to do," said Forde. "However, taking into consideration that the team has to focus on final exams in the coming week, they put forth a solid effort today. We hope that they go into winter break and continue to prepare themselves for the rest of the season. The indoor conference championships are approaching and we have to bring our A-game in order to compete with the talent in the American."

Temple track and field will next compete on Jan. 14 at the Towson Invite in Bronx, N.Y.

Results