University of Tennessee Athletics
Former Vol Steeplechasers Famiglietti And Cosey Make USA Final
July 24, 2001 | Men's Track
June 23, 2001
Anthony Famiglietti and Tony Cosey, former Vol distance stars, qualified for the steeplechase finals at the USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships Friday night at venerable Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore.
Famiglietti, who completed his eligibility in 2000 and now runs for adidas, ran an 8:25.52, a blink of an eye slower than Tim Broe, also of adidas, in 8:25.47. Cosey, a 2000 Olympian and Knoxville native, clocked an 8:39.38 in the slower second heat. Cosey finished 12th overall and fifth in his heat to qualify for the finals with his time.
Three athletes with Tennessee connections competed in the decathlon. Former Vol Chad Smith, competing unattached, took fourth in the event with 8,075 points. Smith used second-place finishes to close the first day (a 48.55 in the 400M dash) and open the second day (a 14.13 in the 110M hurdles) to stake claim to the solid finish.
Tom Pappas, fifth in the 2000 Olympics, led after the first day with 4,472 points. However, the former Vol now competing for adidas, just five months removed from surgery on his left shoulder, only scored points in two of the five second-day events by design to finish 12th with 6,241 points. Wins in the 110M hurdles (13.95) and high jump (7-2 1/4) in addition to runner-up finishes in the long jump and shot put were highlights for Pappas.
Stephen Harris, the NCAA runner-up in the decathlon this year as a sophomore, likewise took it easy on the second day to finish 14th with 4,566 points. Harris stood ninth after the first day with 3,965 points. Harris took fourth in the high jump at 6-9 1/2 for his best event.
Jebreh Harris, a senior who was a vital cog in Tennessee's recent NCAA title run, barely missed advancing in the 800M run Friday night. Harris had the ninth-fastest qualifying time, 1:49.95, and the third-fastest time in the second heat. However, Harris missed qualifying by .12 of a second.
The final two days of the USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships will see more athletes with Tennessee ties compete. On Saturday, former Vols Lawrence Johnson and Tim Mack will take the runway in the pole vault. Dawane Wallace will compete in the 110M hurdles first round. Additionally, Leigh Smith, who just completed his freshman year at UT, will throw the javelin. Lance Jauron, who like Jebreh Harris is finishing his Vol career, will round out the orange-tinted Saturday by throwing the discus at Hayward Field. Sunday's action includes the semifinals and finals of the 110M hurdles for Wallace should he advance. Additionally, Famiglietti and Cosey will run the steeplechase finals.
