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 Matt DiBuono, Fordham |
April 28, 2009
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - The Irwin Belk Track & Field Center on the campus of the University of North Carolina-Charlotte will be the setting for the 13th annual Atlantic 10 Men's and Women's Outdoor Track & Field Championships on May 2-3.
Rhode Island claimed the 2008 men's title after amassing 224 points, edging out Charlotte's 206 total. The Rams, who have won a league-high seven outdoor crowns, will contend with the 49ers, Duquesne, Fordham, La Salle, Massachusetts, Richmond, Saint Joseph's, Saint Louis, Temple and Xavier in the quest for the men's title.
Sophomore Darius Law of Charlotte will look defend his titles in the 200m and 400m dashes this year. The 2008 Most Outstanding Track Performer and Rookie of the Year leads the A-10 in both events this season, posting NCAA regional-qualifying times of 20.96 and 46.58, respectively. Three-time A-10 Performer of the Week honoree Matt DiBuono of Fordham seeks his third straight individual title in the hammer throw. The senior's toss of 213-5 leads the league in the event by nearly 25 feet.
On the women's side, the 49ers tallied 203 points a year ago en route to capturing its third consecutive A-10 title. Dayton and Rhode Island finished tied for second with 110.5 points each, while Temple placed fourth with 108 points. Others vying to dethrone Charlotte are Duquesne, Fordham, La Salle, Massachusetts, Richmond, Saint Joseph's, Saint Louis and Xavier.
Charlotte senior Pat Springs is vying for her fourth consecutive long jump title and currently leads the A-10 with a mark of 19-9 3/4. No other female in this history of the Conference has taken gold in any event in four straight championships. Junior teammate Aja Jackson is seeking her third straight individual crown in the 800m. Her time of 2:07.24 in the event leads the A-10, as does her time in the 1500m run (4:28.42). Rhode Island senior Jasmine Jennings, who has provisionally qualified for the NCAA Championships in the hammer throw, looks to defend her Conference title in the even. Dayton freshman pole vaulter Courtney Siebenaller has made an immediate impact in her first season and leads the Conference with an NCAA regional-qualifying mark of 12-7 ½ and five Rookie of the Week honors.
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The first day of the 2009 Atlantic 10 Men's & Women's Outdoor Track & Field Championships will begin at 9:00am on Saturday, May 2, with the women's heptathlon. On Sunday, May 3, the men's decathlon begins the second day of competition at 8:45am.
For the third consecutive year, live audio and video streaming of the Championship will be available. The cost for the live video/audio streaming will be $7.95 per day, while Charlotte annual subscribers will be able to view the Championship for free as part of their subscription. Log on to www.atlantic10.org for complete coverage of the Championship.
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