Track and Field Begins 2001 Outdoor Season – Ohio State Buckeyes
3/22/2001 12:00:00 AM | Women's Track & Field
March 22, 2001
COLUMBUS, Ohio-The Ohio State track and field teams begin the outdoor season Saturday when they travel to Miami, Fla. to compete in the Florida International University Invitational at the FIU Community Staduim.
Taking the Title
Donica Merriman (Sr., Trotwood, Ohio/Trotwood-Madison) has added a national title to her list of achievements. Merriman took a first-place finish in the 60-meter hurdles with a time of 7.95 in the NCAA Indoor Championships held in Fayetteville, Ark.
Photo Finish The 400-meter NCAA Indoor Championship slipped away from Andrew Pierce (Sr., Yellow Springs,Ohio/Yellow Springs) at the finish line. Pierce and Florida’s Ricky Harris burst through the finish line at 45.78. A photo finish delared Harris the winner.
NCAA Finishes
Katy Craig (Jr., Hilliard, Ohio/Hilliard Davidson) finished sixth in the weight throw with a mark of 64’03.50. Ian Connor (Sr., Lexington, Ohio/Northmor) placed 12th in the men’s 5,000-meter run with a time of 14:11.59. The 4×400-meter relay team composed of Thomas Dickson (Sr., St. Vincent, Wis), Edison Francis (Sr., St. James, Trinidad/Queens Royal College), Courtney Cornwall (Sr., Inwood, N.Y./Lawrence) and Pierce placed ninth with a time of 3:09.43.
2000 Outdoor Highlights
The 2000 women’s outdoor track and field team finished third in the Big Ten with an overall record of 6-2-1. Donica Merriman walked away with Big Ten Championship awards in the 100-meter hurdles, 100-meter and 200-meter dash. In addition, Merriman took home the Big Ten Most Valuable Performer and Athlete of the Year awards. She also was awarded the USTCA Regional Athlete of the Year and was named All-American in the 400 meter hurdles.
Additional Big Ten Champion awards went to Ayanna Reece in the 400-meter hurdle and the 4×400-meter relay team composed of Merriman, Reece, Tina Johnson and Dominque Calloway. Calloway also was named All-American in the 100-meter hurdles. Buckeyes Cathy Carlin, Kathy Fry, Karyn Kelly, Erica Kessler and Courtney McClain were named to the Academic all-Big Ten squad.
The 2000 men’s track and field team finished third in the Big Ten with an overall record of 7-2. Andrew Pierce was named Big Ten Most Valuable Performer and Big Ten Athlete of the Year. In addition, he was named USTCA Regional Athlete of the Year. Pierce also was named Big Ten Champion in the 400-meter dash.
Other Buckeyes receiving Big Ten Champion honors were Ian Connor, Rob Myers, George Hoover and the 4×400-meter relay team comprised of Pierce, Kambon Sampson, Thomas Dickson and Edison Francis. All-American accolades went to Ian Connor in the 3,000-meter steeplechase and Pierce in the 400-meter dash. Buckeyes Robert Aldredge, Brian Ely, Corey Johnson, Tim Miller, Jon Norman, Jeffery O’Rielly, Andrew Saurer, Richard Slawinski, Nicholas Smith and Greg Willis were given Academic All-Big Ten honors.
Looking Ahead
Ohio State track and field travels to California April 7 to compete in the Cal-Berkley Invitational held at Edwards Stadium. The meet is scheduled to begin at 10AM PT.
