Greensboro - The next three weeks of the North Carolina A&T
track and field season should be filled with defining moments. First, the
Aggies will be on display for fans as they host their first home meet of the
season, the much-anticipated International Friendship and Freedom Games. Next,
the Aggies head to Philadelphia to participate in The Penn Relays, the oldest
and largest track and field competition in the United States. After The Penn
Relays, the Aggies return home as A&T will play host to the MEAC Outdoor
Track and Field Championships at Irwin Belk Park in Greensboro.
"Preparation, rest and discipline
will be the keys to our success over the next three weeks," said James Daniels,
interim director of A&T track and field programs.
The Freedom Games begin on Friday
at 1:30 p.m., with the men's discus throw. The first running event, the women's
distance medley relay, is at 2:30 p.m., on Friday. The two-day meet is open to
colleges, junior colleges, individual athletes and club teams.
Last season, the A&T men and
women both won the meet with the scores of 84 and 159 respectively. The team has
been working hard to repeat the same success this year.
"I expect that we will compete to
our best ability. We have been working very hard and now it's our time to
establish our competition rhythm," said Daniels.
Among the Aggies who have been
working hard on improving this season is senior sprinter Jarrell Elliott, who
is closing in on the end of his college track and field career. During his time
as an Aggie, the Winston-Salem native has left his mark on the legacy that is
NC A&T track and field.
"Jarrell is really starting to
realize his potential. When I recruited him I was impressed by his range from
the 400 meter dash and up," said Daniels. "Once he arrived here, I gradually
started to move him to the sprint events. His best races are still ahead."
Elliott is on track to have one of
the best seasons of his college career. So far in the 2011- 2012 track and
field season, Elliott has recorded personal bests on two separate occasions in
the 200 meter and 400 meter dashes. The sprinter also set a school record in
the 400 meter dash with a time of 47.43, and he assisted in setting a new
school record in the 4x200 meter relay with a time of 1.23.66.
However, the success this season
has not been limited to just Elliott. With five meets under their belt, the
team has earned three MEAC weekly accolades, seven first-place finishes and set
three school records. The Aggies hope to
keep their momentum going as they head into the most important three-week
stretch of their season.
