A new era for University of South Carolina Beaufort track and field began Saturday, as first-year head coach Rick Glenn led the Sand Sharks at the Embry-Riddle Challenge in Daytona Beach, Fla.
The Sand Sharks took 15 student-athletes to the meet, and most of them came back with at least one top-10 finish. The highlight of the day for USCB was a school record in the men's 4x400 relay, as Shannon Anderson, Avery Singleton, Frank Tinsley and Cory Yeager ran a time of 3:32.78. The previous mark of 3:34.30 was set by Tinsley, Nic Tones, Stephen Wilson and Chris Elliott at the Tiger Open in 2009.
"We still have some work to do as we get ready for the rest of the season, but it was a great start," Glenn said. "The athletes now know where they stand from a fitness level standpoint, and it was affirmation for some and a wakeup call for others."
Glenn's focus in the opener was on relays and mid- to long-distance events. He said he didn't want athletes competing in "explosive" events such as sprints or jumps too early in the season for fear of injury.
The Sand Sharks will return to Daytona Beach for the Embry-Riddle Last Chance meet on Feb. 17-18.
USCB's track and field program began with a focus on distance running, but Glenn has expanded the roster to include more than 30 student-athletes in every discipline.
Glenn returns a strong core from last season's team, led on the men's side by versatile veterans Avery Singleton and Shannon Anderson and distance standouts Frank Tinsley and Marshall Meyer. Female distance runners Selena Hutson, Katie Mock and Sarah Turrubiate are also back.
A number of talented newcomers have joined the fold, most notably Prashant Robinson and Keontae Harrell on the men's side and Becky Hayden, Meleah Powers, Ty'Chelle Freeman and Ndidi Doe on the women's side, and Glenn expects a large influx of promising freshmen next year.
“I'm really pleased with some of the recruits that we've signed and expect to sign,” Glenn said. “If everything goes as planned, we'll have six guys who are in the top 10 in the state in their classifications.
“We're getting some great growth,” Glenn added. “We've had great response from the local coaches within the state. Once people found out that we're expanding the track and field program, I've just been getting inundated with inquiries.”
Glenn said he will continue to target high school recruits throughout the season – especially to fill out the thin women's roster – in hopes of carrying about 50 athletes next season.
Embry-Riddle Challenge
Saturday, At Daytona Beach, Fla.
MEN
4x400 relay: Shannon Anderson, Avery Singleton, Frank Tinsley, Cory Yeager (7th, 3:32.78*); Keontae Harrell, Ian Evans, Isaac Miles, John Stanas (14th, 3:57.49)
4x800 relay: Singleton, Tinsley, Stanas, Yeager (5th, 8:32.12)
400 meters: Anderson (8th, 52.14); Harrell (25th, 1:00.71)
800 meters: Stanas (13th, 2:11.49); Ian Evans (14th, 2:14.27)
3000 meters: Tommy Reeves (10th, 9:20.57); Stanas (18th, 10:14.86)
Shot put: White (9th, 10.24m)
WOMEN
4x400 relay: Jessica Brown, Katie Mock, Sarah Turrubiate, Meleah Powers (8th, 4:36.07)
4x800 relay: Brown, Powers, Selena Hutson, Mock (5th, 10:31.40)
400 meters: Sarah Turrubiate (13th, 1:08.64)
1-mile run: Hutson (10th, 5:40.63)
* School record
