Southwestern Invitational: 4 x 100 relay team and Murphy qualify for nationals

Coffeyville Community College's 4 x 100 meter relay team and Deon Murphy all qualified for the NJCAA Outdoor National Track Meet at the outdoor season opener hosted by Southwestern College in Winfield, Kansas on March 15. 

The men's 4 x 100 meter relay team placed first in the meet finishing with a time of 41.57 seconds and winning the race by over half a second.  The relay team consisted of Coffeyville native Phillip Horn, Julias Walker, Deon Murphy and Ramon Harris. 

"They qualified for nationals with their time," said Head Coach Brad Weber.  Athletes qualify for NJCAA Nationals by meeting pre-determined qualifying standards set prior to the start of the season.  Athletes can qualify at any sanctioned outdoor meet whether hosted by a junior college or a four-year school.

The 2007 NJCAA Outdoor National Track Meet will once again be hosted in Coffeyville on May 17-19, 2007.

Murphy also qualified for nationals in the 100 meter dash.  Murphy finished fifth in the 100 meters at the Southwestern meet, but his time of 10.55 seconds was good enough to qualify.

Coffeyville had several other top six finishes at the Southwestern Invitational. 

Joe Pilkington placed second in the pole vault clearing a height of 14 feet.  Pilkington made All-American in the pole vault during the indoor season. 

Coffeyville native Troy Briggans placed sixth in the men's hammer with a throw of 134-11.  Marcus McCarter placed third in the men's triple jump.  McCarter's best jump was 40-09.50.  Horn ended up fifth in the 110 meter hurdles with a time of 15.57 seconds.

Complete results can be viewed at: http://www.sckans.edu/~track/meetresults/SOUTHWESTERNINV2007.htm