June 7, 2011

ARLINGTON, Tex. - UT Arlington wraps up a spectacular season this week when seven individuals and a relay team compete in nine total events at the NCAA Outdoor Championships at Drake University in Des Moines, Ia.

The 24th-ranked Mavericks enter the event, set to begin Wednesday, as a part of the top 25 for the first time in program history.

Five field competitors, highlighted by decathlete Romain Martin will compete in Des Moines as well. Martin, in his first year at UT Arlington, placed third in the heptathlon at the NCAA Indoor Championships earlier this year.

Senior sprinter Cordero Gray leads the way. He qualified in the 100m, 200m and as part of the 4x100m relay team.

Clayton Vaughn, another sprinter, made it in the 100m and the 4x100m relay. Juan Lewis and Andrew Pettis round out the team with Lionel Mungwari serving as an alternate.

Jeff Rodriguez qualified in the pole vault by finishing fifth in the event in Eugene.

Casey Keeter qualified in the shot put, Ivan Storic advanced in the javelin and Isiah Clements will compete in the high jump.

The nine athletes UT Arlington is sending to the NCAA Outdoor Championships ties the program for 13th in the nation.