Rolland, Alexander qualify for nationals in season opener
March 1, 2014
CLINTON, Miss. — Xavier University of Louisiana produced two qualifiers for the NAIA National Championships — Devinn Rolland in the women's long jump and Angelica Alexander in the women's high jump — at the Mississippi College Opener track and field meet Saturday.
Rolland, a 2012 NAIA All-American in the long jump, won the event in 19 feet, 4 3/4 inches. Alexander cleared 5-6 in the high jump to finish second and qualify for nationals for the first time.
The national meet will be May 22-24 in Gulf Shores, Ala.
The Gold Nuggets also got victories from Catherine Fakler in the 1,500- (4 minutes, 47.69 seconds) and 5,000-meter runs (18:43.25) and Zahri Jackson in the 800 (2;21.94).
XU's Brent Kitto ran 4:06.60 in the men's 1,500 to finish second.
Xavier scored 95 points to finish second out of 13 schools in the women's division. Xavier scored 17 points in the men's division to place ninth out of 15 schools.
It was the first outdoor meet of the season for the Nuggets and Rush. Next meet for both teams will be the McNeese Cowboy Relays in Lake Charles, La., on March 15.
Here are all the Xavier results from the Mississippi College Opener:
Women
200: Chelsea James, 11th in 26.80; Kaylee Moore, 13th in 27.12
800: Zahri Jackson, 1st in 2:21.94
1,500: Catherine Fakler, 1st in 4:47.69; Ashley Flournoy, 4th in 5:12.54; Briana Simms, 6th in 5:21.78
5,000: Catherine Fakler, 1st in 18:43.25; Briana Simms, 10th in 21:44.52; Ashley Flournoy, 11th in 21:44.81
100 Hurdles: Terri Cunningham, 3rd in 16.79; Chelsea Simpson, 6th in 18.17
400 Relay: Chelsea James, Kaylee Moore, Katelyn McMorris, Devinn Rolland, 3rd in 48.58
High Jump: Angelica Alexander, 2nd in 1.68 meters (5 feet, 6 inches); Terri Cunningham, 4th in 1.47 meters (4 feet, 9¾ inches)
Long Jump: Devinn Rolland, 1st in 5.91 meters (19 feet, 4¾ inches); Angelica Alexander, 4th in 5.06 meters (16 feet, 7¼ inches); Katelyn McMorris, 6th in 4.85 meters (15 feet, 11 inches)
Triple Jump: Angelica Alexander, 3rd in 9.85 meters (32 feet, 3¾ inches)
Shot Put: Loryn Darthard, 8th in 8.67 meters (28 feet, 5½ inches)
Discus: Loryn Darthard, 5th in 30.56 meters (100 feet, 3 inches)
Team Scoring: 1, Rhodes 150. 2, Xavier 95. 3, Millsaps 92. 4, Dillard 90. 5, Southwest Christian JC 65. 6, William Carey 56. 7, Spring Hill 27. 8, Mississippi College 24. 9, Berry 18. 10, (tie) Belhaven 17; West Alabama 17. 12, Clayton State 10. 13, East Texas Baptist 5. 14, Talladega 0.
Men
1,500: Brent Kitto, 2nd in 4:06.60; Christopher August, 27th in 4:36.45
Long Jump: Christopher Kennie, 4th in 6.52 meters (21 feet, 4¾ inches)
Triple Jump: Christopher Kennie, 5th in 11.94 meters (39 feet, 2¼ inches)
Team Scoring: 1, William Carey 148½. 2, Dillard 104. 3, Millsaps 93. 4, Rhodes 91½. 5, Mississippi College 36. 6, Spring Hill 34. 7, Southwest Christian JC 31. 8, Belhaven 25. 9, Xavier 17. 10, Berry 16. 11, West Alabama 12. 12, Clayton State 10. 12, East Texas Baptist 10. 14, Centenary (La.) 4. 15, Lane. 1. 16, Talladega 0.