Long Jumper-Quarter Miler Chantel Malone competing in the 2011 CAC Championships
APRIL 2—Chantel Malone opened her 2012 Long Jump campaign with a mark that would have punched her ticket to London later this summer for the Olympic Games. Unfortunately for her, the wind was 3.4 meters per second, well over the allowable of 2.0.
On her first time down the runaway this season competing in the 85th Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays, the former Longhorns standout cut the sand at 6.66m (21’10¾”) to place fourth overall. She fouled her second attempt, then followed up with a 6.50m leap which had a +2.2 mps wind.
“I haven't been focusing on jumps seriously until a week prior to Texas Relays,” Malone said. “We would do a few jumps sessions after workout but last week was mostly geared towards practicing jumps. I haven't jumped for the whole indoor season. Having a 6.66m opener, which is my personal best was exciting for me despite the wind readings. I feel stronger and more consistent with my run.”
Elsewhere, Illinois’ Sr. Ashley Kelly ran a windy 11.72 seconds in the 100m at the Big Blue Classic held at Eastern Illinois University on Saturday.
Former Portland State Vikings Karene King got her season rolling and had her fastest 100m season opener—which was also a personal best—when she ran 11.80 seconds to place second at the Willamentte Invitational in Salem, Oregon. She shaved .03 off the time she ran last May.
Vikings’ Sr. Dominique Maloney won the 400m with a mark of 56.84 seconds—the fourth athlete to run under 57.00 this season.