March 7, 2008
Johnson City, Tennesse-The three Graceland track athletes that qualified for the NAIA National Indoor Meet all finished up competition Friday afternoon. Elisha Plaine, Ben Brummit, and Cinnamon Jenkins all completed their events and neither Plaine or Jenkins were able to qualify for the finals in their events. Brummit finished strong this afternoon and ended up in 9th place scoring a total of 4736 points.
Brummit (Unionville, MO) had his final three events in the heptathalon today and after nursing a hamstring injury all day yesterday, he awoke feeling much better this morning. Unfortunately, in his first event of the day the 60 meter hurdles, Ben banged his ankle on one of the hurdles causing it to swell. After having performed adequately in the pole vault, Brummit blew the competition away in the final event, the 1000 meter run beating his own personal record by two seconds and finishing at 2:40.79. The strong finish allowed him to push his way up in the standings ending in 9th place.
Freshman sprinter Cinnamon Jenkins (Jacksonville, FL) qualified for the national meet in the women's 60 meter dash. Jenkins didn't have her best day as she was unable to make it out of the prelims running a 7.93.
Elisha Plaine was the final athlete of the day to compete qualifyig in the womens long jump. Plaine struggled to get her steps down the entire event and also failed to qualify for the finals. Elisha made her best jump on her first attempt jumping 4.95 meters.
"The results of the day certainly weren't what we had hoped for, however there were a lot of positives that we can draw from the experience," Coach Allshouse said following the days events. "Ben Brummitt showed tremendous fortitude to overcome the injury obsticles he had to and still be able to finish 9th in the nation only 30 points off his best score ever. Cinnamon Jenkins qualifying as a freshman speaks volumes of her potential and I look for her to be a frequent performer at the national meet throughout her collegiate career. It's sad to see Elisha Plaine finish her final national meet without making finals but having had recent surgery on her ankle, it's wonderful that she could end her college eligibility at a national meet. Elisha has qualified seven out of her eight possible seasons while at Graceland and her personality and talents will be missed," Allshouse concluded.
The Graceland track team will begin preparation for the outdoor season next week. Stay in tuned to the Graceland website for updates all year on the happenings of Jacket track.
For More Information on Graceland University Athletics Contact: Matt Shelton, Sports Information Director (641) 784-5318 mshelton@graceland.edu
