Day One I Day One Results I Day Two Results I Revised Saturday Schedule I Big South Release

CONWAY, S.C. -- On day two of the 2006 New Balance Big South Outdoor Championships, senior Garrett Brickner (Fairfax, Va./Lake Braddock) and freshman Tyler Tucker (Burke, Va./Robinson Secondary) were the top scorers for the Keydets. Brickner missed first place in the high jump by a mere inches, but cleared 2.05 meters to take second place in the event. In the decathlon, freshman Tyler Tucker equaled his indoor championship performance by finishing second to secure eight more points for VMI at the CCU Track & Field Facility in Conway, S.C.

Brickner is rounding his way back into form after an injury earlier this season, and finished his third event of the outdoor season in second place. Brickner cleared 2.05 meters on Friday, but was unable to get over the next height of 2.10m, a feat only accomplished by Radford's Dan Oseth. It was the top jump this season for Brickner, and also qualified him for his fourth straight IC4A Outdoor Championship.

In the men's decathlon, Tucker finished off another impressive performance with a second place finish. Tucker finished the event with 5,181 points, moving up after standing at third place at the midway point. On Friday, Tucker started off strong with second place finishes in the 110m Hurdles (17.29) and Discus (30.26m), and followed it up with first place finishes in the Pole Vault (3.80m) and the Javelin (40.94m). Tucker rounded out his day by finishing third in the 1500m (5:02.04).

Sophomore Ashley West (Miami, Fl./Northwestern) furthered her school record in the Long Jump today with a distance of 18' 6-1/2". The jump was good for seventh place in the field, and gained two points for the women's team. West currently owns six school records at VMI, with three in the indoor season and three in the outdoor.

Shelly Mackall (Baltimore, Md./Poly) completed her performance in the heptathlon in fourth place. On Friday, Mackall finished third in the Long Jump (4.86m), fourth in the Javelin (20.14m), and sixth in the 800m (2:43.17). Mackall finished the event with 3,718 points.

In the men's 3,000m Steeplechase, a pair of Keydets picked up valuable points for the team. Sophomore Donnie Mikels (Rustburg, Va./Rustburg) finished fourth in the event with a time of 9:23.94, equaling his place in last year's event to score five points for VMI. Finishing behind Mikels in sixth place was Nick Mazzenga (Dumfries, Va./Bishop Ireton), who crossed the finish line at 9:37.05 to pick up three points for the Keydets.

On the women's side in the 3,000m Steeplechase, freshman Kelsey Stafford (Charlottesville, Va./Western Albermarle) picked up a pair of points for the Keydets by finishing seventh at 11:50.08.

On the day, VMI also had several athletes who advanced to tomorrow's finals in their respective events. For the women, Ania Najda (Olsztyn, Poland/Common Europe V) moved on to Saturday's finals in the 800m with a time of 2:21.79 and West qualified in the 100m Hurdles with a time of 14.76.

For the men, Anthony Harris (Orlando, Fl./Cypress Creek) posted the day's top time in the 800m to move on to the finals. Harris finished the prelims at 1:53.56, a few ticks better than his previous best. Also advancing were Mark Bush (Bristol, Tenn./Tennessee) in the 800m with a time of 1:54.02; Joey Robinson (Gaithersburg, Md./Gaithersburg) in the 110m Hurdles (15.23); and Bryan Yerger (Reading, Penn./Reading) in the 400m Hurdles (55.88).

Other Notable Keydet Performances:

• Shelly Mackall finished tenth in the 100m dash (12.72)
  
• Amanda Moore finished 12th in the 400m dash (1:02.69)
  
• Ketra Alexander finished 13th in the Shot Put (11.37m)
  
• Sean Mizzer finished 11th in the 100m dash (11.31)
  
• Tim Greer just missed qualifying for the 400m finals, finishing ninth (49.74)
  
• Chi Chi Ezekwe cleared 1.90m to finish ninth in the High Jump
  
• 2006 indoor champion Taili Evans finished 10th in the Long Jump (6.58m)
  
• Paulvince Obuon was scratched in the 200m dash

Through Friday for the men, Radford holds a slight lead with 75.5 points, followed by Coastal (71), Liberty (60.5), VMI (24), Charleston Southern (16) and High Point (6). On the women's side after two days, Coastal sits atop the lead with 121 points, followed by Liberty (64), Radford (46), Winthrop (32), High Point (20), Charleston Southern (12), VMI (11) and UNC Asheville (3).

Tomorrow's schedule has been adjusted due to anticipated bad weather in the Conway area. The first event kicks off at 9:00 a.m. with the Javelin throw. The final event of the day is scheduled for 2:55 p.m., followed by the awards ceremony. Check back to www.vmikeydets.com for all the latest results and announcements.