Jones qualifies for second straight NCAA regional as Spartans win six events at Elon

ELON, NC – Six Spartans won events and Charles Jones qualified for the NCAA regional meet to highlight UNC Greensboro’s performances at the Elon Invitational Track Meet on Saturday afternoon.

All six winners came from the men’s side as Nick Vaccaro won the 800 meters, Xavier Rutz won the 1500 meters, Ramon Jobson-Brown won the long jump, Charles Jones won the triple jump, Scott Bellamy won the discus and Brandon Spencer won the hammer throw.

Spencer’s throw of 137 feet, 11 inches shattered a school record by nearly nine feet. In addition, Vaccaro and Rutz set meet records. Vaccaro crossed the line in 1:59.59 to win the 800 meters, while Rutz finished with a time of 4:07.89 in the 1500 meters.

In addition, Jones’ mark of 15.13 meters in the triple jump qualified him for the NCAA East Regional meet for the second straight year. UNCG’s first-ever national qualifier last year, he will participate in the regional meet held in Greensboro on May 26 and 27 at North Carolina A&T.

On the women’s side, Jess Weber finished second in the 800 meters, running a personal best time of 2:19.23. In addition, the 4x400 relay team of Weber, Tricia O'Connell, Erin Lord and Mary Ann Rutz finished fourth with a time of 4:23.78, just one second off of a school record.

UNCG returns to action next weekend at the Duke Invitational in Durham, NC.

AGATE

WOMEN’S RESULTS: 100 meters: 7. Christin Heverly 15:29, 8. Hilary Overby 15.50; 800 meters: 2. Jess Weber 2:19.23, 4 Erin Lord 2:26.97; 5. Tricia O'Connell 2:30.98; 1500 meters: 2. Heidi Pinkerton 5:15.55, 3. MaryAnn Rutz 5:18.78, 5. Naomi D'Amours 5:20.20; 5000 meters: DNF. Becca Colangelo, DNF. Tessa Dispennette; 4x400 Relay: 4. UNCG 4:23.78.

MEN’S RESULTS: 800 meters: 1. Nick Vaccaro 1:59.59 (meet record), 4. Ryan Rodd 2:04.10; 6. Tim Kwak 2:10.74; 1500 meters: 1. Xavier Rutz 4:07.89 (meet record); 2. Jeff Williams 4:13.86, 4. Josh Wyatt 4:15.28; 4x400 meters: 2. UNCG 3:33.73; Long Jump: 1. Ramon Jobson-Brown 6.44 meters (21-1.50); Triple Jump: 1. Charles Jones 15.13 meters (49-7.75), FOUL - Ramon Jobson-Brown; Shot Put: 5. Joe Sheffield 9.32 meters (30-7.00); Discus: 1. Scott Bellamy 36.10 meters (118-5); Hammer Throw: 1. Brandon Spencer 42.03 meters (137-11).