June 7, 2007

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - It was not the way Jared Connaughton and Coby Morrison wanted to end their college career, but the duo will look back and be proud of their days as a Maverick.

Connaughton advanced to the 200-meter semifinals, posted a season-best time of 20.71 seconds but failed to advance to the finals at the 86th Men's NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championship at Hornet Stadium Thursday afternoon.

Morrison also missed on his quest to earn all-American honors with a 400-meter hurdle prelim time of 52.75.

Nevertheless, the pair will go down as two of the most decorated athletes in Mavericks track and field history. Together they combined for 21 all-Southland Conference honors, nine SLC championships as either a member of a relay or individual event winner, seven NCAA Midwest Regional trips and two all-region honors.

"Jared went down with both guns blazing. He ran a personal best for the year and he was right there," said UT Arlington Head Track and Field Coach John Sauerhage said Thursday night. "He ran well and finished 11th in the nation in the 200.

"Coby and Jared were two seniors, when we recruited them, were told them we would win a bunch of conference championships. It took us until their senior year to get them a (conference) title. They are the reason we are here. Their representation was a big part of our success this season."

Senior Jon McDowell will seek a national championship Friday at 5:35 p.m. in the 110-meter finals.

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