Spruiel wins another event

Results
JOHNSON CITY, January 20, 2008 – Sophomore sprinter Calesio Newman had an outstanding season by most freshman standards in 2007. But the challenge for him was to come back and display the attitude that he was willing to get better. He seems to be passing that test.

Newman placed first in the 60 meter dash at the Niswonger Invitational at East Tennessee State with a time of 6.77 in the first flight.

“Calesio is starting to mature as a runner,’’ said James Daniels, who coaches Aggie sprinters. “He did a good job as a freshman, but he also made freshman mistakes. He is showing he learned from those mistakes.”

It’s hard to imagine Newman can improve on a freshman season that saw him win the 100 meters in the Liberty 4-Way Meet during the indoor season, place second in the outdoor 100 meters at the MEAC Championships and he earned a trip to the NCAA East Regional.

But director of track and field programs Roy Thompson and Daniels believe the sophomore out of Green Sea, S.C., can eventually bring individual championships to N.C. A&T, while aiding in the Aggies winning the conference meet. “He’s going to get there,’’ said Daniels. “He listens very well, he takes what you tell him and utilizes it and his work ethic has improved.”

Junior Ron Buchanan can be a good example for Newman. Buchanan continues to show strides in his third season with the Aggies. Buchanan placed first in the triple jump at Niswonger with a leap of 50-feet, 9 ½ inches. He was the only competitor at the Niswonger to have his best jump exceed 50 feet. “Ron has an attitude that he can compete with anybody,’’ said Thompson. “He gives you exactly what you want from athlete – constant improvement.”

On the women’s side, Spruiel is establishing a habit of winning every week. A week after breaking the school record in the 500 meters, Spruiel took first place in the 400 meters. Spruiel took first place with a time of 55.21. Spruiel also finished third in the 200 meters with a time of 24.46. The Aggies had 10 other top five finishes over the weekend, including a first-place finish in Flight 1of the long jump by Brittany Dixson. Dixson’s jump of 19-feet, 1 ½ inches was the fourth best jump overall in the competition.

The Aggies continue their indoor season in State College, Pa., when they compete in the Penn State National Invitational Jan. 25-26.