Temple University Athletics
Track Teams Contend For A-10 Outdoor Title On Saturday
4.30.09 | Men's Track and Field
April 30, 2009
Schedule of Events | Watch Live
PHILADELPHIA The Temple men's and women's track & field teams will travel to the campus of UNC Charlotte to compete in the 13th annual Atlantic 10 Championships from May 2-3. With multiple athletes posting top performances in the conference, the Owls are poised to improve their finishes from last season. The Atlantic 10 will offer live video streaming of the action for both days of competition.
After a fourth place finish at last years A-10's, the women's team is looking to break into the top three for the first time since 2003. To this point in the season, senior Amanda Cole has been named A-10 Performer of the Week twice, while the 4x400m ran a conference-best time at the Penn Relays this past weekend.
Cole, who placed third in the hammer throw at last year's A-10's, currently owns the second-best throw in the conference (189-0).
Last year's pole vault champion junior Melissa Gale continues to be the Owls top performer, with her season-best vault of 11-5.57 ranking fourth in the conference.
Sophomore Assata Cowart, the reigning 400m hurdles champion, looks to be a frontrunner for the title this year with the second fastest time in the conference (1:01.28).
Senior Devon DuPont claimed the heptathlon title in 2008, and will be joining forces with Paris Williams, Carlleen Allison, and Tashima Stephens for the 4x400m relay (1st in A-10, 3:40.89). Allison and DuPont will also be racing in the 4x100m relay, with junior Rose Drayton and freshman Andrea Butler (3rd in A-10, 47.54).
In the long jump, the duo of Brittany Clybourn and Brittney McRae has been setting the mark for the Owls. Clybourn has the momentum heading into this weekend, having just recently posted the second-best distance in the conference this past weekend at the Penn Relays (19-7).
On the women's side, Charlotte tallied 203 points a year ago en route to capturing its third consecutive A-10 title. Dayton and Rhode Island finished tied for second with 110.5 points each, while the Owls placed fourth with 108 points. Others vying to dethrone Charlotte are Duquesne, Fordham, La Salle, Massachusetts, Richmond, Saint Joseph's, Saint Louis and Xavier.
The men's squad is seeking to have a breakout performance at this year's A-10's. The Owls placed sixth last year, and are seeking to make their first-ever top four finish. Currently, the Cherry and White have four individuals and one relay team leading the conference in their respective events. All four individuals look to become the first athletes since 2005 to capture a title.
Junior Joshua Louis boasts the conferences best high jump (6-9), classmate Brad McFadden the fastest 400m hurdles time (53.34), sophomore Tim Boeni the best long jump(24-3.5), and freshman Eric Brittingham the longest javelin toss (200-0).
The men's 4x400m relay team (Stancil, Boone, Taylor, Sullivan) ranks first in the conference, posting their best time at the Florida Relays (3:14.59).
Sophomore Bob Keogh and junior Grant West have been battling all season for the Owls in the hammer throw. Keogh broke West's school record in the hammer throw at the Florida Relays, with that throw currently ranking third in the conference (185-11). West was quick to regain his honors, and extended the school record with a toss of 188-6 at the Greyhound Invitational (2nd in A-10).
Rhode Island claimed the 2008 men's title after amassing 224 points, edging out Charlotte's 206 total. The Rams, who have won a league-high seven 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.
The first day of the 2009 Atlantic 10 Men's & Women's Outdoor Track & Field Championships will begin at 9:00am on Saturday, May 2, with the women's heptathlon. On Sunday, May 3, the men's decathlon begins the second day of competition at 8:45am.
For the third consecutive year, live audio and video streaming of the Championship will be available. Complete results can be found at owlsports.com or at www.atlantic10.org.
