Feb. 14, 2013

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - The University of Rhode Island is set to host the 2013 Atlantic 10 Conference Men's and Women's Indoor Track and Field Championships, which will be held at URI's Mackal Fieldhouse Feb. 16-17.

The Rhode Island men look to defend their third consecutive championship title this weekend, with the hopes of holding off Charlotte once again. The Rams are led by junior Anthony Davidson, who ranks second in the 400m (48.57) and 500m (1:03.51).

 The Charlotte men's squad leads in conference standings with seven student-athletes in the first place spot in their individual events, including Khyran Shank (60m), Anthony Bynum (200m), Christopher Tate (400m), Sean Klutz (800m), Cordell Livingston in both the 60m hurdles and triple jump, along with Jake Deaton in the shot put.

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

The Charlotte women's team also looks to defend their championship title and take home their sixth conference title this weekend. The 49ers outscored Dayton after close competition in 2012.

Leading the women's squad for the 49ers is sophomore JoAnn Blakney, the 2012 Most Outstanding Track Performer. Blakney looks to defend her title in the 60m dash. Breaking the record in 2012 with a time of 7.46, she has already ran faster this season and leads the conference with a time of 7.38, while also leading in the 200m (24.61) and long jump (6.20m).  

Also standing out for the 49ers is sophomore T'Sheila Mungo, the 2012 Most Outstanding Rookie. Mungo set a record in the 500m dash at the 2012 Championship with a time of 1:12.68, and has also ran faster this season with a time of 1:11.03.

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

The 2013 Indoor Track & Field Championships will be split over two days, with action starting at 9:00 am on Saturday. Complete results, order of events and live stats will be available online at www.atlantic10.com.