May 10, 2007
SEC Track & Field Central Including Live Scoring
Tuscaloosa, Ala. – Vanderbilt’s Garnetta Holloway, the reigning Southeastern Conference heptathlon champion, is fifth overall after the first day of activities at the SEC Track and Field Championships.
Holloway accumulated 3,025 points Thursday in the 100-meter hurdles, high jump, shot put and 200-meter dash, and faces a huge task if she plans to repeat as champion. The resident of Cleveland, Tenn., trails the heptathlon leader, freshman Nia Ali of Tennessee, by more than 400 points. Others ahead of Holloway after the first day are Marrissa Harris of Mississippi State, LSU’s Shaunette Davidson and Sarah Gretzmacher.
In her winning effort last year, Holloway was fourth in the event after the first day, but trailed by just 103 points. She quickly made up the deficit by outstanding performances in the long jump, javelin throw and 800-meter run.
Holloway, who missed nearly a month of training early in the outdoor season, struggled through much of the day Thursday. In the opening event, the senior ran 15.37 in the 100-meter hurdles, an effort that was .55 seconds off her previous best. While Holloway ran ordinary over the hurdles, competitors Ali and Harris took command with stellar times of 13.25 and 13.81, respectively.
Holloway could not manage a personal record after completing the hurdles. She finished with a 5’3″ clearance in the high jump, 37’6.5″ toss in the shot put, and 25.16 effort in the 200 meters – all well off her best marks.
On Friday, Holloway will compete in three of her strongest events. She should gain points on the entire field in the javelin where she appears to be the superior thrower. Past performances would suggest that Holloway also ranks among the top three in both the long jump and 800 meters.
