March 27, 2004

Complete Results

RALEIGH, N.C.- - The Michigan State women s track and field team completed its first meet of the outdoor season Saturday at the Raleigh Relays, one of the largest track meets on the east coast with over 75 schools competing. Senior Sarah Pepera emerged as the winner of the 3,000-meter steeplechase to pace MSU, while four other Spartans also posted top five finishes.

Pepera set a new personal best in the steeplechase with a time of 10.24.92, easily outdistancing Erin Moffett of DePaul by an even seven seconds. Senior Michelle Carson finished third in the same event with a time of 10:34.35.

Freshman Cynethia Rooks, a North Carolina native, felt right at home in Raleigh with a spectacular debut in her first collegiate outdoor meet. One day after placing third in the 400-meter dash, Rooks sprinted to a tie for third place in the 200-meter dash invitational with a time of 24.32.

In the 800-meter run invitational, sophomore twins Shannon and Megan Radermacher performed well, as Shannon placed 10th with a time of 2:12.36, while Megan was 16th in 2:13.90.

In the field, senior Sarah Adelaine had her third top-five performance of the weekend, placing fifth in the hammer throw with a toss of 181-0. Yesterday, Adelaine placed third in the shot put and fourth in the discus.

Senior Sherita Williams continued her brilliance in the triple jump, finishing fifth with a leap of 41-1.1/2. In the indoor season, Williams set MSU's all time mark in the triple jump at 42-9 1/2. Sophomore Taren James was 31st in the same event with a jump of 37-9 1/2. Sophomore Mickie Rzepka placed 15th in the pole vault for MSU with a height of 11-9 3/4.

After a weekend off, the Spartans will host the Michigan State Invitational Saturday, April 10, at the MSU Outdoor Track and Field Complex.