Feb. 14, 2012

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – The Atlantic 10 Conference will hold its first two championships of the winter season this weekend as the University of Rhode Island hosts the 19th Annual Men’s and Women’s Indoor Track & Field Championships. The 2012 championship will be held at the URI’s Mackal Fieldhouse on Feb. 17-18.

The Rhode Island men will look to defend their 2011 title and hold-off the Charlotte 49ers, winner of three of the previous four A-10 Conference titles. The Rams are led by sophomore Anthony Davidson, who currently sits atop the A-10 standings in the 400-meters (48.21) and ranks second in the 500-meters (103.41).

The 49ers are led by senior Isaac McReynolds and sophomore Khyran Shank. McReynolds currently holds the A-10’s top time in the 60-meter Hurdles (:07.82), while Shank ranks first in both the 60-meters (:06.82) and the 200-meters (:21.63).

Also contending for the men's title will be Fordham, La Salle, Massachusetts, Richmond, Saint Joseph's, Saint Louis, Temple and Xavier.

The Dayton women’s track team will also look to defend its 2011 title as the Flyers attempt to capture their third consecutive conference championship. Dayton is led by senior Courtney Siebenaller and sophomore Ally Weeman. Siebenaller ranks first this season in the Pole Vault with a mark of (12-08.25). Weeman, who is looking to continue the Dayton tradition of power throwers, leads the A-10 standings in the weight throw with a mark of (56-04.75).

Also vying for the women’s title is preseason favorite and five-time champion, Charlotte. The 49ers are led by a strong group of sprinters including freshman JoAnn Blakney and T’Sheila Mungo. Blakney currently paces the A-10 in both the 60-meters and the 200-meters, while Mungo ranks first in the 400-meters and second in the 500-meters.

Battling Dayton and Charlotte for league supremacy is Duquesne, Fordham, La Salle, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Richmond, Saint Joseph's, Saint Louis, Temple and Xavier.

The Indoor Track & Field Championships will be split over two days, with action starting at 9:00 am on Friday. Complete results, order of events and live stats will be available online through www.atlantic10.com.