Temple University Athletics
Track Teams Head To Atlantic 10 Championship On Saturday
5.1.08 | Men's Track and Field
May 1, 2008
PHILADELPHIA - The Temple men's and women's outdoor track teams will travel to the University of Massachusetts this weekend for the 12th annual Atlantic 10 Outdoor Track and Field Championship. The men will look to better their best-ever showing from a year ago (fifth), while the women have several athletes in the mix for individual titles. The A-10 will offer live video streaming of both days.
After finishing no higher than seventh from 2004-06, the Owls had a breakout performance last spring, finishing in fifth. Sophomore Brad McFadden enters A-10s with a league-best time of 53.66 in the 400m hurdles, while several Owls are ranked in the top five in their events.
Sophomore Tim Boeni has the third best long jump (23-3 1/2) and the fourth best high-jump (6-2), while senior Andrew Fries has the second best javelin distance (194-9) this spring.
Sophomore Grant West, who has etched his name in the TU record book this spring, is third in the hammer throw (180-11). Senior Marcos Edghill is also third in the 100m dash (10.97).
Sophomore Alex Schiavi has the second best decathlon total (5725), while the 4x100 (2nd) and 4x400 (5th) are both ranked in the top five.
Rhode Island claimed the 2007 men's title after amassing 230 points, besting then-defending champion Charlotte's 149. The Rams, who have won a league-high six outdoor crowns, will contend with the 49ers, Duquesne, Fordham, La Salle, Massachusetts, Richmond, Saint Joseph's, Saint Louis, Temple and Xavier in the quest for the men's title.
On the women's side, NCAA Regional qualifier Amanda Cole leads the Cherry and White. Cole is seeded third in the A-10 in the hammer (178-3).
Freshman Assata Cowart has the fastest 400m hurdles time in the league (1:02.05), while junior Devon DuPont's 4546 points in the heptathlon are also a league best. Dupont is also seeded third in the long jump (18-9 1/4).
Sophomore Melissa Gale owns the league's second-best pole vault (11-5 3/4) and the 4x400 relay (second) and 4x100 relay (third) are also contenders for the A-10 crown.
On the women's side, Charlotte tallied 195 points a year ago en route to capturing its second consecutive A-10 crown. Richmond finished second for the second straight year with 121.5 points, while four-time champion Rhode Island (2002-05) placed third with 121 points. Others vying to dethrone Charlotte are Dayton, Duquesne, Fordham, La Salle, Massachusetts, Saint Joseph's, Saint Louis, Temple and Xavier.
The first day of the 2008 Atlantic 10 Men's & Women's Outdoor Track & Field Championships will begin at 8:45 am on Saturday, May 3, with the women's heptathlon. On Sunday, May 4, the men's decathlon begins the second day of competition at 8:45am.
For the second consecutive year, live audio and video streaming of the Championship will be available for $7.95 per day. Annual subscribers to All-Access for A-10 teams participating in the Championship and XXL annual subscribers will be able to view the action at no charge. Log on to www.atlantic10.org for complete coverage of the Championship.
