Terps Head to ACC Outdoor
4/19/2011 8:00:00 AM | Track & Field
April 19, 2011
LIKE! Maryland Athletics on Facebook
DURHAM, N.C. - Dwight Barbiasz, the defending indoor champion in the men's high jump, will try to repeat his feat outdoors this weekend as he leads the University of Maryland into the 2011 Atlantic Coast Conference Track and Field Championships to be hosted by Duke.
Barbiasz currently sits atop the ACC rankings in the high jump at 7 feet, 3 3/4 inches. The mark is second all-time outdoors at Maryland and currently matches the season best for the NCAA Eastern Preliminaries to be held next month. The Terrapin junior from Milford, N.H., won the ACC Indoor in February at 7-2 1/4.
"If each individual puts forth their best effort toward our team goals, I will walk away pleased," said head coach Andrew Valmon, who will also be the men's head coach for Team USA at the 2012 Olympics in London. "A championship meet is a time to step up and compete head-to-head. Our conference showcases some of the best talent in the nation and this should bring out the best in our athletes as well.
"On the men's side, Dwight Barbiasz has had a stellar outdoor season. He has consistently jumped 7-3 3/4, and has been working with Coach Costello to reach even higher. Jon Hill has also looked good in both his high jump and javelin form. We are hoping for a repeat of the indoor championships with this duo.
"In addition, senior Greg Kelsey will lead the distance crew as he tackles his last ACC Championship. I have been emphasizing to the men in practice that if they just go out and compete, they will be surprised at what they can achieve."
Kelsey, who was an All-ACC performer in cross country last fall, is entered in both the 3,000-meter steeplechase and the 5,000 meters at the conference meet.
Maryland will attempt to improve on its finishes from last year's outdoor meet, when the women placed ninth and the men were 11th. At this year's indoor championships, the women were ninth and the men finished eighth.
Sophomore Jon Hill, who placed second at the league's indoor meet in the men's high jump, will again join Barbiasz in the event as the third seed outdoors. Hill is also among the league leaders in the javelin coming into the conference meet.
The Terrapins enter the conference outdoor championships with high seeds in the field events. Senior Kristen Batts, sophomore Moriah Young and junior Jessie Echard are all ranked in the hammer and some of the other throwing events. Freshman Amina Smith will come in as the third seed in the women's high jump at 5-10.
"On the women's side, Batts will lead a strong contingent of throwers," said Valmon. "Kristen made it onto the podium in both the hammer and the discus events last year. She is shaping up to have another outstanding meet and will hopefully improve her NCAA standing along the way.
"Additionally in the field, Amina has been progressing well and is ready for a big mark in the high jump. On the sprint side, our relays should also be able to hold their own and bring in additional points. DeAnna Brown and D'Ambour Lewis will be leaned on in both relays and in their open events. We have a lot of women in the distance and middle-distance events who are right on the cusp of a top-eight performance. If we can cross over this barrier, we will achieve some great results this weekend."
All-American Kiani Profit will likely miss the conference meet due to a hamstring injury. She won the league title indoors in the pentathlon and placed second in the nation at the NCAA Indoor Nationals in February.
The meet opens Thursday afternoon with the combined events and finishes on Saturday.
2011 ACC OUTDOOR TRACK & FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS SCHEDULE
Thursday, April 21
10:00 a.m. - Women's Heptathlon: 100mH, HJ, SP, 200m
10:30 a.m. - Men's Decathlon: 100m, LJ, SP, HJ, 400m
12:30 p.m. - Field Events (Finals): Discus, Javelin
8:00 p.m. - Running Events (Final): 10,000m
Friday, April 22
10:00 a.m. - Women's Heptathlon: LJ, Javelin, 800m
11:00 a.m. - Men's Decathlon: 110mH, Discus, PV, Javelin, 1500m
1:00 p.m. - Field Events (Finals): SP (W), LJ (M), SP (M), LJ (W), HJ
4:00 p.m. - Running Events (Trials): 1500m, 100mH (W), 110mH (M), 400m, 100m, 800m, 400mH, 200m
7:45 p.m. - Running Events (Final): 3000m Steeplechase
Saturday, April 23 (all events finals)
Noon - Field Events: PV (M), Hammer (W), TJ (M), Hammer (M), PV (W), TJ (W)
4:00 p.m. - Running Events (Final): 4x100m, 1500m, 100mH (W), 110mH (M), 400m, 100m, 800m, 400mH, 200m, 5000m, 4x400m
8:10 p.m. - Awards Ceremony
- dd -
