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 Charlotte, 2009 Women's A-10 Champions |
Feb. 21, 2009
KINGSTON, R.I. - Following a record-setting first day from point-leader Dayton, the Charlotte women's team rallied from behind to capture its Conference-record fourth consecutive women's title at the 2009 Atlantic 10 Indoor Track & Field Championships, held at Mackal Field House on the campus of the University of Rhode Island.
On the men's side, Charlotte captured its third title in four years as it topped runner-up Rhode Island, 218-152. The total was the most of a winning men's team since 2001 (Rhode Island, 222). La Salle placed third with 76 points, followed by Temple (67), Fordham (63), Richmond (55), Massachusetts (51), Saint Joseph's (50), and Saint Louis & Xavier (24).
"We had a great weekend," said 10th-year Charlotte head coach Bob Olesen. "I thought we had a pretty good chance to win both and we've been pretty successful the past few years in the Conference, but it never get's old winning both championships on a given day."
The Charlotte women amassed 175 points, overcoming day-one leader Dayton (139). Rhode Island took third with 106 points, followed by Temple (77), Richmond (73), Massachusetts (49), Duquesne (34), La Salle (30), Saint Louis and Xavier (26), Saint Joseph's (25), and Fordham (20).
Olesen, who was selected as A-10 men's Coach of the Year for the third time, credited the victories to the way both teams united and pushed forward after the recent and tragic loss of sophomore Steven Archer.
"I'm most please with the abstract things that go into a championship," said Olesen. "The measuring, running fast - those things put points on the board and that's the way we've won it the last few years. This year was a little different in the team unity and spirit behind the victory and in some respects it's because of the loss of a valued teammate."
A trio of Dayton throwers took all three medals in the women's shot put, with sophomore Johnna Zaccari winning the event with a toss of 45-11 ¼. Other notable performances on the day include a time of 1:14.13 from Temple sophomore Paris Williams, the 2009 Women's Track Performer of the Year; Charlotte senior Lamarra Currie's time of 6.99 in the 55m dash; and La Salle senior Christa Plummer's winning time of 9:52.97 in the 3000m run.
The 49er men posted several top-times in the Championship, including sophomore Darius Law's 48.78 in the 400m dash, as well as freshman Sam Jordan's 6.35 in the 55m dash. Law also won the 200m dash with a time of 21.77, en route to earning A-10 Men's Track Performer of the Year honor. Junior teammate Adu Dentamo clocked an 8:29.90 to win the 3000m run, while sophomore Andre Conley notched a season-best winning distance of 47-2 ¼ in the triple jump, as well.
Other men's performances of note on Saturday included another Charlotte victory in the men's triple jump thanks to sophomore Andre Conley (47-2 ¼); Rhode Island junior James Whalen clocked an 8.07 in the 55m hurdles portion of the men's heptathlon to win the overall event; and senior Korey Edwards of La Salle edging out a close win in the 1000m run (2:29.06).
The first-team All-Conference consists of the individual winners at the two-day Championship, while the All-Conference second team is made up of the second-place finishers. For complete results and statistics of the 2009 Atlantic 10 Men's & Women's Indoor Track & Field Championships log on to www.atlantic10.org
2009 A-10 Indoor Men's Track and Field Awards
Field Performer of the Year: James Whalen (URI)
Track Performer of the Year: Darius Law (CHA)
Rookie of the Year: Sam Jordan (CHA)
Coach of the Year: Bob Olesen (CHA)
2009 A-10 Indoor Women's Track and Field Awards
Field Performer of the Year: Mallory Barnes (UD)
Track Performer of the Year: Paris Williams (TU)
Rookie of the Year: Courtney Siebenaller (UD)
Coach of the Year: Adam Steinwachs (UD)
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