24, 2003
PHILADELPHIA – Georgia Tech freshman All-American Chaunte Howard broke her own school record and placed first in the high jump, and senior Jessica DeFreitas surpassed the school record in the long jump Thursday to lead the Yellow Jackets’ women’s track and field team at the 109th Penn Relays at Franklin Field.
Recently named Atlantic Coast Conference Women’s Outdoor Rookie of the Year, Howard cleared 6’2.25″ to claim first in the collegiate women’s championship section by more than two inches. This performance ranks as the nation’s best this season and breaks Howard’s own school record set at the Yellow Jacket Invitational on April 5. She is undefeated in the high jump this outdoor season.
DeFretias leaped 20’7.75″ to eclipse Mishanta Reyes’ mark of 20’6.50″ set last season. DeFreitas placed third in the collegiate women’s section, while freshman Brandy Depland was 20th (18’7.00″). Both DeFreitas and Howard also improved their qualifying marks for the upcoming NCAA East Region Championships.
In other action, senior Katie Griffin was 35th in the 5000 meters with a season-best time of 17:21.97, while junior Courtney Thomas led three Jackets in the women’s 400-meter hurdles by finishing 43rd in 1:04.30. Senior Jamie Ostrov (46th) and junior Priscilla Reed (54th) also competed in the event.
Junior Neta Ezer was 20th in the 10,000 meters with a time of 36:20.79.
Competition at this historic meet resumes Friday morning and concludes Saturday afternoon.
-GT-
