Feb. 13, 2008

Philadelphia, Pa. - The Rhode Island men and Charlotte women's indoor track & field teams will look to defend their respective titles on Saturday, Feb. 16, at the 2008 Atlantic 10 Men's and Women's Indoor Track & Field Championships, to be held at the University of Rhode Island's Mackal Field House.

On the women's side, Charlotte has claimed A-10 championship crowns in its first two Championships as a member of the Conference. With their most recent title, the team tallied 167 points, clinching the championship by 67 points over second-place. Richmond (110). Rounding out the top five was third-place Rhode Island (86), followed by La Salle (71) and Duquesne (70).

Charlotte looks to continue its regular-season success by bringing three A-10 Performers of the Week winners to the 2008 Championship. The 49ers are led by two-time POW winner in junior Aja Jackson, who currently possesses the Conference's top times in one-mile run (4:56.61) and the 800-meter run (2:10.50). The pre-season favorite 49ers will have to hold off five-time Conference champion Rhode Island if they are to become the second A-10 team to win three consecutive championships. The only other, Rhode Island (2000-02), is anchored by two of the Conference's top throwers in seniors Sarah Thornton and Jasmine Jennings. Thornton's NCAA Indoor Championships-provisional mark of 62-10 ¾ leads the A-10 this season.

On the men's side, Rhode Island looks to defend its title after edging out La Salle at the 2007 Championship, 190-162. Finishing third was defending champion Charlotte (143), followed by Massachusetts (60) and Fordham (51).

The Rams are led by senior Yudehwheh Gbaa, who was crowned 2007 champion in the triple jump with a leap of 50-¾ en route to winning Most Outstanding Field Performer. Rhody is seeking its sixth title in the last eight years, but will likely have to again contend with La Salle's standout runners, led by Korey Edwards. Edwards ranks in the top three in the Conference in three different events this season, including the fastest time in the 1,000-meter run (2:27.56).

The high jump kicks off the women's Championship at 9:00am with Charlotte, Dayton, Duquesne, Fordham, La Salle, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Richmond, Saint Joseph's, Saint Louis, Temple and Xavier contending for the title.

The high jump also begins the men's portion of the Championship at 3:15pm with Charlotte, Fordham, La Salle, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Richmond, Saint Joseph's, Saint Louis, Temple and Xavier vying for the Championship.

Complete results will be posted at the end of competition on Saturday at www.atlantic10.org. Live video streaming of the Championship will be available under the "Calendar" tab on http://atlantic10.cstv.com/sports/c-itrack/atl10-c-itrack-body.html

Atlantic 10 Men's and Women's Indoor Track & Field Championships
Feb. 16 - Mackal Field House - Kingston, R.I.

Previous Champions

Year	Men's Champ.	Score	Women's Champ.	Score
2007	Rhode Island	190.00	Charlotte	167.00
2006	Charlotte	180.00	Charlotte	172.00
2005	Rhode Island	200.00	Rhode Island	132.83
2004	Rhode Island	199.00	Rhode Island	186.00
2003	La Salle	205.50	Richmond	134.50
2002	Rhode Island	192.00	Rhode Island	123.50
2001	Rhode Island	222.00	Rhode Island	160.33
2000	Virginia Tech	246.00	Rhode Island	146.75
1999	Virginia Tech	212.00	Virginia Tech	143.00
1998	Virginia Tech	215.50	Massachusetts	137.50
1997	Virginia Tech	161.00	Virginia Tech	161.00
1996	La Salle	145.00	Massachusetts	158.00
1995	West Virginia	225.00	West Virginia	166.00
1994	Canceled/weather	- - -	Canceled/weather	- - -
1993	West Virginia	129.00	West Virginia	129.00