FSU Men Win 4th Straight East Title

TALLAHASSEE - Led by the legs of senior Walter Dix and sophomore Charles Clark, the Florida State men's track team won its fourth straight NCAA East Regional title Saturday at Mike Long Track.

Dix built on an impressive showing in Day One of the regional meet, pulling out a victory in the 200-meter dash with a time of 20.10 seconds. The Coral Springs native also finished third in the 100 in 10.21, qualifying him for both events in the national meet June 11-14.

"All in all it was a good day," Dix said. "To go out today in front of the home crowd and win my last race felt good. Now we have a week and a half to train for nationals.

"Now I know exactly where I need to be," Dix added. "I have a couple of things to work on in the 100."

FSU's 4x100 relay team, consisting of Clark, Michael Ray Garvin, Brandon Byram and Drew Brunson, also finished first in 39.37.

Clark was second in the 200, earning praise from Dix.

"Charles gave me a great race," Dix said. "He is definitely coming along. He will definitely be very strong at nationals."

Florida State had 88.5 points, followed by Florida with 68. In the women's meet, Virginia Tech won with 92, while Penn State (91) was second, Florida (82) third and FSU (44) fourth.

FSU freshman Kimberly Williams made her way to nationals in the triple jump with a first-place leap of 13.83 meters. Also qualifying for the women's team were Hannah England and Susan Kuijken, who placed first and second in the 1,500.

For the University of Florida, sophomore Carlos Phillips set an NCAA East Regional record in the men's 800 in 1:46:70. Florida senior Natalie Knight also qualified for nationals with a second-place finish in the women's 200.

Junior Sean Young of South Florida advanced to nationals in the men's pole vault, finishing fourth (16-7.25 feet).

Several records were set Saturday. Virginia Tech sophomore Queen Harrison set NCAA East Regional records in the women's 100 hurdles (12.70) and 400 hurdles (54.69). Also, South Carolina junior Jason Richardson set an NCAA East Regional record for the men's 110 hurdles with a 13.21.