April 21, 2007
View Invitational Results
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Local track and field enthusiasts witnessed a former two-time NCAA champion post the nation’s second fastest 110-meter hurdle performance this season during the final day of activities at the Vanderbilt Invitational Saturday.
Aries Merritt, a two-time national champion at the University of Tennessee, ran the 110-meter hurdles in 13:30, erasing the meet record he set two years ago at the Southeastern Conference individual title.
Merritt’s performance was one of 10 meet records that fell in the Vanderbilt Invitational. It was also one of four stadium records established.
MTSU walked away with the men’s and women’s team titles. The Blue Raider men’s team accumulated 102.5 points to edge Memphis (99 points). In the women’s division, MTSU’s 81.5-point total edged the host Commodores (74.2 points).
Merritt, who was undefeated in hurdles competition in 2006, came into the race with a seasonal best of 13.32 set at the recent Yellow Jacket Invitational in Atlanta. His dominating performance Saturday trails only David Oliver’s early season 13.26 effort at the Florida Relays.
While Merritt’s performance was eye-catching, several others produced sensational marks. Alabama’s Miruna Mataoanu, a senior from Romania, became the first female high jump to clear 6’0″ at the meet. She easily won the competition with a best of 6’1.25″. sensational. Southern Illinois junior thrower Brittany Riley smashed a meet and stadium record by tossing the hammer 216’4″. Middle Tennessee triple jumper Andrew Owuzu established a new mark with a 54’3.75″ leap. The Blue Raiders’ 4×400-meter relay foursome also set a new meet with a sizzling 39.5 effort.
After winning two events Friday and scoring 62 points to take the team lead after the first day, Vanderbilt’s top performance Saturday came from junior hurdler Lauren Fortson, who finished third in the 400-meter hurdles in 1:01.68, and freshman hurdler Meghan Murphy, who finished fifth in the 100-meter hurdles in a career best 14.45.
Greeted with the most ideal weather of the outdoor season the Vanderbilt Invitational drew nearly 1,250 entries from more than 50 teams.
