TAMPA, Fla. - Bethune-Cookman Track & Field will travel to Tampa, Friday and Saturday for the South Florida Invitational. The event will begin at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, April 11 and continue through Saturday April 12.



Friday, April 11 - Saturday, April 12
South Florida Invitational
12:00 p.m.
Tampa, Fla.
Live Stats: www.halfmiletiming.com



Last weekend, the Cats stayed local in Daytona for the Embry-Riddle Running Elements Classic. Both Shanard Walker and Xavier Bogan were named Southwestern Athletic Conference Athletes of the week, including Kasie Ugeh who was named Southwestern Athletic Conference Co-Athlete of the Week. It was announced last Friday from the conference headquarters in Birmingham, Ala. 

The Wildcats had nine first place finishes and thirty-seven top ten finishes overall.

One of the finest facilities in the Southeastern United States, the stadium has a seating capacity of 4,000. The stadium boasts brand new lights and the field is surrounded by a 400-meter track that was remodeled in the fall of 2008 to include a new state-of-the-art Mondo surface. It is the same surface used at the most recent Olympic Games and is considered the fastest, safest and most durable tracks in the world.

In compliance with IAAF specifications, the renovations also included the expansion of the lanes to 48 inches, along with new runways for the pole vault, javelin and triple and long jumps and new areas for the high jumps and throws.

Friday is designated for the men only aside from 7:35 p.m. scheduled for the women's 10,000m run final. The day begins with multi-events starting with the men's hammer throw at 12:00 p.m. followed by the long jump, pole vault, shot put, javelin, high jump, triple jump and discus. Starting at 5:05 p.m. is the 3000m steeplechase followed by the 400m relay - the day ending with the 10000m run at 8:15 p.m.

Saturday is for the women. They will begin in the field at 11:00 a.m. with the hammer throw followed by the long jump, pole vault, shot put, javelin, high jump, triple jump and discus. Similarly to the men's side, the running will begin in the afternoon at 5:05 p.m. with the 3000m steeplechase followed by the 400m relay, 1500m run, 100m hurdles and 400m dash - the day ending with the 1600m relay final at 7:25 p.m.
 

The Wildcats are currently ranked number two in the nation in long jump average as a team. Between being nationally ranked, three SWAC Athletes of the Week, and nine first place finishes, head coach Garon Jackson expects big things from his team this weekend.

"I expect our team to still improve and get better", says Jackson.

"Along with the long jump, we also have athletes that are nationally ranked in the 200m, 400m and 4x4's. We have a really strong team of athletes that know how to get the job done - that can go in there and give a strong showing."

"I have to give praise to my coaching staff. First and foremost, they have done an outstanding job in preparing the athletes. Coach Walker has done an amazing job with the jump squad and set herself as one of the top jump coaches in the country at this moment. Coach Cory has one of the top throws in the conference. Coach Berryhill has one of the top distance athletes in the conference. And coach Jalilisa has some of the top 400m girls in the conference. So as a whole, we just have to continue to do what we know how to do and get the job done", he adds.