FARNAN SETS PROGRAM RECORD IN 3,000-METER STEEPLECHASE

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RESULTS

ROCK HILL, S.C. – Junior Ryan Farnan notched his first program record, setting the benchmark for the men's 3,000-meter steeplechase to highlight Friday's action for Radford at the 2014 Big South Outdoor Track and Field Championships at Irwin Belk Track on the campus of Winthrop University.

In addition to Farnan's showing, four Highlanders advanced out of Friday's prelims. In the team race, Radford is ninth on the men's side and 10^th on the women's side.

MEN'S 3,000-METER STEEPLECHASE
For 12 years, Radford's record for this event belonged to Andrew Jackman. However, Ryan Farnan slid into the top spot after blazing the trail in 9:28.69 to capture sixth place. He beat Jackman's record, which was set at the 2002 Big South championships, by over three seconds. Also competing was Harrison Murn, who finished 11^th with his 10:17.63 (PR).

WOMEN'S 3,000-METER STEEPLECHASE
In addition to improving their PRs, Courtney Rice and Courtney Burton recorded a pair of Top-10 times for Radford's records book. Rice completed the distance in 11:28.17 (eighth place), which is the fourth-fastest effort in program history, and improves her previous PR by over 10 seconds. Burton shaved over 15 seconds off her previous PR to clock an 11:51.67 to take ninth. Her time is the seventh-fastest pace in program history.

WOMEN'S 1,500-METER RUN
Entering as the top seed, Teresa Williamson rounded the track in 4:44.79 to place fifth in the prelims. It was the ninth-fastest time in program history, giving Williamson five of Radford's Top-10 times for the event. She will go after her third Big South title of the year tomorrow at 2:30 p.m.

MEN'S 1,500-METER RUN
Ranked 14^th for the event coming into the championships, Chaz Porter took heat one by storm by running a 3:59.57 to qualify for Saturday's final, which begins at 2:45 p.m.

WOMEN'S 100-METER HURDLES
Despite recording a pair of season bests, Courtni Pannell and Jessica Shelton narrowly missed out on the final. Both ran a 14.37, which was a PR for Shelton.

MEN'S 110-METER HURDLES
Tying for the fourth-fastest time in program history, Vincent Wyatt's 13.81 was over four seconds faster than his nearest competitor in the qualifying round. With that time, the junior set a facility record, knocking nearly one second off the previous record set in 2011 by Donta Young. Wyatt will go for his second Big South title of the year when he takes to the starting block at 3:15 p.m.

MEN'S 400-METER DASH
A Highlander claimed another facility record when Joseph Betts ran a 47.83 to place first in the prelims. He and the seven other finalists will vie for the gold medal at 3:40 p.m. Steven Graham (49.75) and Trey Presley (50.37) established PRs in the event, but failed to advance.

WOMEN'S SHOT PUT
Jazmine Banks became Radford's second thrower to make the final round, joining Ashlen Veatch (hammer throw) from yesterday. She hoisted a 40-06.75 on her third attempt to place ninth.

WOMEN'S 800-METER RUN
Teresa Williamson qualified for her second final when she delivered a 2:16.56 pace to finish third in heat three of the prelims. The battle for the women's 800-meter title begins at 4:10 p.m.

WOMEN'S 400-METER HURDLES
Although they could not punch a ticket to the final, Cara Myrtle (12^th / 1:05.14), Jessica Shelton (15^th / 1:07.08) and Courtni Pannell (16^th / 1:10.71) all recorded PRs.

SATURDAY'S SCHEDULE
Due to rain in the forecast, Saturday's early events are now scheduled one and a half hours later than originally planned, beginning at 12:30 p.m. with the men's discus and women's triple jump. The women's 4x100-meter relay will get the running events going at 2 p.m. As a reminder to fans unable to make the trip to Rock Hill, S.C., the Big South Network will be streaming live action from Irwin Belk Track beginning at 1 p.m.

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