April 5, 2006
AUSTIN, Texas - The state capitol of Texas turns into the college track capitol of the country for four days with the beginning of the 79th Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays Wednesday.
Competition continues through Saturday at the Mike A. Myers Track and Field Stadium on the campus of the University of Texas. More than 50,000 spectators are expected for the four-day event. Admission for Wednesday and Thursday are free. Friday and Saturday admission is $15 for reserved seating with general admission tickets $10 each. An all-session pass is $30 for reserved and $20 for general admission.
UT Arlington will be represented by 14 student-athletes competing in individual events and the 4x100-meter and 4x400-meter relays teams for both men and women.
"The Texas Relays is one of the premiere events in the country and we face some of the nation's best competition (there)," said UTA Head Track and Field Coach John Sauerhage. "We have a chance to win an event and we will see how we can do in the strong field."
Among those expected to compete is the top 200-meter runner in the Southland Conference this spring, junior Jared Connaughton. He recorded the top time in the conference this spring with an NCAA region qualifying time of 20.59 at the Bobby Lane Arlington Invitational Saturday. He will compete in both the 100 and 200-meter races. Prelims for the 100-meter dash is Friday morning at 9:30 a.m.
Senior Jacob Cedertun will lead a group of distance runners slated for competition. Cedertun will run in the Friday night 1,500-meter race. Daniel Noah will compete in the 3,000-meter steeplechase and sophomore Jody Broccoli-Hickey is penciled in for the men's 10,000 meters Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m.
The Mavericks are well-represented in the men's 110-meter hurdles. Edward Broadnax, Jon McDowell and Adam Stafford will compete in the prelims at 9:30 a.m. Friday.
All-SLC pole vaulter Shay Collett will compete in the university/college section B on Friday. Freshman Andrew Duncan will take part of the high jump competition and NCAA Outdoor qualifier Quinchun Carey will try for a gold medal in the long jump on Friday.
UTA is looking for its first Texas Relays champion since Rebecca Johansson won the women's 10,000 meters in 2001. The last male to win was Erik Petersson in the 5,000 meters in 2001.
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