April 15, 2009

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - The Charlotte men's and women's programs have been selected to win the 2009 Atlantic 10 Outdoor Track & Field Championships in voting conducted by the league's head coaches as the A-10's preseason poll was released today.

The Charlotte women captured its third consecutive title a year ago as it turned aside runner-up Dayton, 193.0-107.5. It marked the Flyers' highest finish in program history. The 49ers are led by senior Lamarra Currie, who was named the Most Outstanding Performer of the 2008 Championship after sprinting to victory in both the 100m (11.55) and 200m (24.11) dashes. UD is anchored by three-time Rookie of the Week Courtney Siebenaller, who boasts the league's top performance in the pole vault (12-3 ½) this season.

Four-time champion Rhode Island has been tabbed third, followed by Richmond, Temple, La Salle, Massachusetts, Duquesne, Saint Joseph's, Fordham, Saint Louis and Xavier.

On the men's side, Charlotte has been picked to unseat two-time defending champion Rhode Island and capture its first title since 2006. The 49ers, who were edged out 224-206 a year ago, are led by sophomore Darius Law. The Raleigh, N.C., native was named the Most Outstanding Performer and Most Outstanding Rookie of the 2008 Championship after seizing gold in the 200m (21.83) and 400m (48.08) dashes. Law has earned three A-10 Performer of the Week awards this season. URI seeks its league-record eighth A-10 crown and will rely on the experience of juniors Michael Elliott and Derek Peterson, the defending gold medal winners in the high jump and discus, respectively.

Massachusetts has been selected third, followed by Duquesne, La Salle, Temple, Saint Joseph's, Richmond, Fordham, Saint Louis and Xavier.

The 2009 Atlantic 10 Track & Field Championships will be held May 2-3 at the Irwin Belk Track & Field Center on the campus of UNC Charlotte.

2009 Women's Outdoor Track & Field Predicted Order Of Finish
(2008 A-10 finish in parentheses)
1. Charlotte (1st)
2. Dayton (2nd)
3. Rhode Island (3rd)
4. Richmond (5th)
5. Temple (4th)
6. La Salle (7th)
7. Massachusetts (6th)
8. Duquesne (9th)
9. Saint Joseph's (8th)
10. Fordham (11th)
11. Saint Louis (10th)
12. Xavier (12th)


2009 Men's Outdoor Track & Field Predicted Order Of Finish
(2008 A-10 finish in parentheses)
1. Charlotte (2nd)
2. Rhode Island (1st)
3. Massachusetts (4th)
4. Duquesne (5th)
5. La Salle (3rd)
6. Temple (6th)
7. Saint Joseph's (8th)
8. Richmond (9th)
9. Fordham (7th)
10. Saint Louis (10th)
11. Xavier (11th)

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