Feb. 7, 2011

ARLINGTON, Tex. - Cordero Gray's time of 6.23 in the 55m at the Varsity Apartments Shocker Quad led the nation last weekend.

Gray, who set the UT Arlington record in the 60m last weekend at the Houston Indoor Invitational, turned in another strong performance in Wichita, Kan., helping the Mavericks beat the Shockers.

"Even though he'd like to be a little more ahead of the competition than he was," UT Arlington sprints coach Jordan Durham said. "It's consistency that counts, especially for those races."

Gray was not alone in earning national recognition. Pamela Vinson turned in the best time in the 55m among freshmen in the country this week with her time of 6.98. Vinson's time also tied the UT Arlington school record in the 55m.

Her time converts to a 7.50 in the 60m, marking a new personal-best.

"Pam is an excellent stand out. We actually added an additional race for her, which is the open quarter," coach Durham said. "She ran the open quarter and within an hour after that she ran the 200m and she still had a personal best for the season."

Additionally, Vinson qualified for the Southland Conference Indoor Championships in the 400m by clocking a 57.55.

"It just goes to show what a great athlete she is and the versatility we have with her," Durham said.

Durham said the marks turned in by Gray and Vinson perfectly reflect how hard the pair works.

"Just tied in with their natural ability," she said. "They have been two of the hardest workers that we've had. Anytime I ask them to go run something on the track no matter how hard it sounds, they get out there and do it."