SFA Track and Field 2nd; 5th at SLC Indoors
2/18/2002 12:00:00 AM | Track & Field
Feb. 18, 2002
HOUSTON, Texas - The Stephen F. Austin men's and women's track and field teams completed competition at the Southland Conference Indoor Championships Saturday with the Ladyjacks scoring 95.5 points to place second behind only Southwest Texas (180.5 points). On the men's side, SFA scored 72 points and finished fifth behind eventual league champion Southwest Texas (134 points).
"Both teams did great this weekend," said SFA head coach Phil Olson. "We have a lot of talent on both teams, the only difference between our men's and women's team is the women have more depth. But our program is moving in the right direction. These kids present themselves and compete with class. Our entire staff is thrilled with the performance."
Junior Jessica Claiborne (Spring, Texas) got the Ladyjacks out to a good start with her individual title in the triple jump. But it took a school-record jump by Claiborne (40 feet, 7.75 inches) to beat out teammate Shametra Boykins (Karnack, Texas) who had just set the school record prior to Claiborne's record-breaking jump. Boykins earned all-league honors with her mark of 40-7.50. Claiborne also scored points in the long jump (19-1.25) and the 200-meter dash (25.46 seconds). The Ladyjacks also relied on freshman Jocelyn Stevens (Schertz, Texas), and she didn't disappoint. Stevens just missed all-conference honors in the 60m hurdles (8.85), the high jump (5-3.75) and also scored points in the 400m (58.82) and ran a leg of the women's 4X400m relay team. Junior Mashay Utley (Houston, Texas) gave the Ladyjacks another weapon the 400m earning All-SLC honors with her time of 56.95. Utley was also a member of the Ladyjacks fifth-place 4X400m relay team. Senior Tan Morris (Fr. Worth, Texas) was another Ladyjack who scored points in three separate events, setting a school record in 200m preliminaries and following that up by finishing second in the 200 meters and setting a new school record in the finals (24.89), she was seventh in the 60-meter dash (7.78), and sixth in the triple jump (39-2.25). Freshman Teresa Murray (Amarillo, Texas) had a solid impact during her first season in a purple and white uniform, finishing fourth in the high jump (5-3.75). Senior Tracy Schupp (Hallsville, Texas) earned all-conference honors with her school-record performance in the pentathlon (3,457 points).
The Ladyjacks dominated the shot put and pole vault, as five athletes scored points in the two events. Senior Destine Rawls (Houston, Texas) finished second in the shot put with her school-record toss of 50-10.00. Junior Blake Gordon (Gladewater, Texas) also earned All-Southland Conference honors with her throw of 48-5.25. In the pole vault, senior Misty Ballard-Swan (Carlsbad, N.M.) led the way with her vault of 12-9.50 to finish second and earn all-league honors. Sophomore Jennifer Schreiner (Ft. Worth, Texas) just missed all-conference honors finishing fourth in the pole vault (10-2.00). Junior Lauren Hunt (Houston, Texas) closed out the Ladyjacks scoring in the pole vault with her seventh-place finish (9-10.00).
"This was a balanced meet," said Olson. "We knew going into the meet that we could score 80 points, but we were really happy when put 95.5 on the board. Going into the meet we talked about being prepared and competing with heart. I felt our team went out there and showed a lot of heart."
The Lumberjacks were led by SLC individual champions JW Potter (Big Sandy, Texas) who set a school record in the 800 meters (1:52.65). Senior Adam Keul (Tyler, Texas) was the league co-champion in the pole vault with his mark of 17-4.50. The Lumberjack team of Potter, sophomore Justin Meier (Lorena, Texas) and freshmen Chris Gage (Decatur, Texas) and Daryl Williams (Humble, Texas) set a school record in the distance medley relay (10:10.24). Freshman Jonathan Roberson (Mart, Texas) also set a school record in the pentathlon with his score of 3,503 points.
Sophomore Alex Beckworth (Desoto, Texas) put up points in the long jump and 60m hurdles for SFA. He finished fifth in the long jump (23-10.25) and eighth in the 60m hurdles (8.36). The Lumberjack men also did well in the shot put with sophomore Ryan Rossner (Merairie, La.) earning all-league honors with his personal best toss of 52-10.75. Freshman Matt Hoelscher (College Station, Texas) was sixth with his personal best of 51-8.50.
"Potter had a great weekend," said Olson. "He won the 800 meters setting a new school record and then returned to the track to run a very strong 800 in the distance medley relay. Meier did a fantastic job in the mile leg of the distance medley relay. He really separated himself from the rest of the competition in the final 150 meters of his race. Adam (Keul) went out and did what we expected him to in the pole vault and that was score 10 points."
The SFA track and field teams return to action Friday March 1 at the LSU Last Ditch meet in Baton Rouge, La.
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