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 Matt DiBuono, Fordham |
Feb. 18, 2009
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - The Charlotte men's and women's programs look to defend their respective titles on Feb. 20-21 at the 16th Atlantic 10 Men's and Women's Indoor Track & Field Championships. The 2009 Championships will be held at the University of Rhode Island's Mackal Field House.
The Charlotte women have claimed A-10 championship crowns in each of the last three seasons, tying Rhode Island (2000-02) for the longest streak in league history. The 49ers tallied 180 points a year ago to outdistance runner-up Dayton (91). It marked the Flyers' highest-ever finish in program annals.
The 49ers are led by seniors Lamarra Currie and Aja Jackson. Named the Most Outstanding Track Performer at the 2008 Championship, Jackson owns Conference's top times in the mile (4:53.44) and ranks second with an NCAA-provisional time of 2:08.47 in the 800m run. Currie leads the A-10 in the 55m dash with a NCAA-provisional time of 6.86, as well as the 200m dash (24.41).
Seeking its first league crown, Dayton is anchored by senior Ashley Cattran and freshman Courtney Siebenaller. The pair account for three A-10 Performer of the Week and three Rookie of the Week honors this season, along with NCAA provisional marks for Cattran in 800m (2:07.34) and Siebenaller the pole vault (13-0 ¼).
Also contending for the women's title are Duquesne, Fordham, La Salle, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Richmond, Saint Joseph's, Saint Louis, Temple and Xavier.
On the men's side, Charlotte looks to defend its title after edging out Rhode Island at the 2008 Championship, 181-156. The title marked the 49ers' second in three years.
Three-time A-10 Performer of the Week selection and reigning Rookie of the Year Darius Law seeks to defend his victory in the 400m dash (48.55) a year ago. The sophomore tops the Conference performance list in both the 200m (21.47) and 400m (47.26) dash events, both of which are NCAA-provisional times. Additionally, a member of the Charlotte squad tops the list in 10 of the 20 men's events this season.
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Other standouts to watch include senior John Cartensen of Rhode Island, who boasts the league's top performance in the pole vault (16-2) in 2008-09 and looks to extend the Rams' championship success to a league-record seventh title, and La Salle senior Steve Rendall vying for his third gold medal in the 55m hurdles.
Vying for the championship along with Charlotte and Rhode Island will be Fordham, La Salle, Massachusetts, Richmond, Saint Joseph's, Saint Louis, Temple and Xavier. The championships will be split between two days for the first time in Conference history, with action starting at 9:00am on Friday.
Complete results will be posted at the end of competition on Saturday at www.atlantic10.org. Live video streaming of the 2009 Championship will be available on the A-10 site for $12.95 for a two-day pass.
Atlantic 10 Men's & Women's Indoor Track & Field Championships Feb. 20-21 - Mackal Field House - Kingston, R.I.
