MYRTLE BEACH, S.C.-The North Carolina A&T track and field team opened up the outdoor season with a strong showing at the Shamrock Invitational, which was hosted by Coastal Carolina from March 14-16.

The Aggies, who are looking for a return to the medal stand this May at the MEAC Outdoor Track & Field Championships, had especially good performances from their field athletes on the weekend.

Freshman Nakita Gray placed second in the high jump with a 1.65 meter finish.   Freshman Tiffany Ellick recorded a season-best in the long jump with a 5.46 meter leap for sixth place.  Ellick also finished in 11^th place in the triple jump with a 11.41 meter performance.  In the shot put event, senior Sydni Cobb came in fifth with a season-best 13.98 meter toss.   Cobb also had a 42.26 meter finish in the hammer throw at the Invitational for 12^th place. 

On the men's side, sophomore Marquis Noble came in second place with a 7.21 meter jump in the long jump.  It was his best jump on the year, and the best by an A&T athlete this season.   Junior Keenan Smith, who had a strong indoor season, came in 14^th with a 6.74 meter leap.  Smith came in second in the triple jump with a 15.18 meter finish, marking a season-best in that event personally and on the team. 

The A&T track teams also had several strong individual performances.  

Junior Roshel Bygraves came in 14^th with a season-best 24.94 time in the 200 meter dash.  In the 400 meter dash, Bygraves placed fourth with a 55.01 finish.   Senior Janessa Benn came in 22^nd place with a season-best 2:22.59 time in the 800 meter run.   She also had the best finish for A&T with a 4:54.47 time in the 1500 meter run. 

The A&T men's 4x200 relay team of Jeffery Lewis, Marquis Noble, Desmond Lawrence and Keenan Smith turned in an eighth-place performance with a 1:27.58 finish.

The Aggies will next compete at the Weems Baskin Invitational in Columbia, S.C. from March 22-23.