May 4, 2007
NACOGDOCHES, Texas - The UT Arlington men's track and field team looks to bring home their first team title since 1997 when they begins the 2007 Southland Conference Track and Field Championships Friday at the Fletcher Garner Track at the Homer Bryce Stadium here.
Competition begins Friday morning at 10 as the men's decathlon and women's heptathlon kick things off. Field events start at 4 and 6:30 p.m. with the women's and men's hammer throw events, respectively. The lone non-multi running events scheduled for Friday are the 10,000 meters for the women and men at 8:30 and 9:15 p.m., respectively.
Sam Houston State enters the 2007 competition as the two-time defending champion in both men's and women's competition. Both Bearkat teams won 2005 titles, the first for either in school history, and each came back to repeat in 2006.
Reigning Outdoor Athlete of the Year Jared Connaughton of UT Arlington returns for his senior season. Last year, he finished third among individuals with 23 points outdoors as he won the 100 by .006 over Northwestern State's Ravyn Hayward with a time of 10.321. The Canadian later won the 200 over Hayward by four one-hundredths with a mark of 20.90. His other two points came when he ran the anchor leg of the 4x100 team that finished second in 40.27.
Connaughton was also voted the SLC Outstanding Track Performer for his efforts in 2006.
Seniors Jon McDowell and Coby Morrison have the top times in the SLC in the 110-meter hurdles and the 400-meter hurdles, respectively.
Morrison could unseat Connaughton at the athlete of the year. He ranks in the top five in the SLC in the 100 meters, 200 meters, 400-meter hurdles and as a member of the 4x100-meter relay and the 4x400-meter relay teams.
Senior Shay Collett, who recently qualified for the NCAA regional for the fourth straight year, will compete in the pole vault.
The men's team will be without Quinchun Carey who underwent season-ending knee surgery earlier this spring. He qualified for the NCAA regionals in thre long jump for the past two seasons, winning the meet in 2005.
The women's team will be led by senior sprinter Kourtnee Jones. She has the top conference time the 100 meters (11.50) and 200 meters (23.94) and is a member of the 4x100-meter relay that has the league's best time of 45.83 recorded at TCU on April 21.
Senior Ivorita Taylor will close out her career in the 800 meters. The eight-time all-SLC has the top time entering the conference championship with a 2:08.99 clocked at the Bobby Lane Arlington Invitational earlier this spring.
Senior Vanessa Maida qualified for the NCAA regional meet earlier this spring with a vault of 12-05.50.
Sophomore Stacey Bennett is tied with three others for the top high jump mark of 5-08.50 this season.
Senior Linda Rosema will look to extend her career. She posted points in all three events - discus, shot put and hammer - at last year's SLC Championship.
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