May 3, 2012

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – The Atlantic 10 Conference will hold its 16th annual Men’s and Women’s Outdoor Track & Field Championships this weekend, May 5-6 at the UMass Track & Field Complex on the campus of the University of Massachusetts.

The Rhode Island men will look to make it two consecutive A-10 Outdoor titles, as the Rams attempt to defend their 2011 Outdoor championship. Leading the way for the Rams is senior Jacob Keeling. Keeling currently sits atop the A-10 standings in both the Shot Put (58’ 11.5”) and the Javelin Throw (217’ 5”). Also leading the way for Rhode Island are juniors Trent Baltzell, Thaddeus Kusiak and Ronald Woodley.

Following closely behind the Rams is Charlotte, the 2009 and 2010 A-10 champions. The 49ers are led this year by junior Isaac McReynolds, the A-10 frontrunner in both the 100-meter Hurdles (13.90) and the 400-meter Hurdles (51.98), and sophomore Khyran Shank. Shank currently holds the A-10’s top time in the 100-meters (10.48) and the 200-meters (20.91).

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

The Charlotte women’s team will also look to defend its 2011 title as it searches for its fifth title in the last six years. Charlotte is led by sophomore Joann Blakney and freshman T’Sheila Mungo. Blakney ranks first in the A-10 this season in both the 100-meters (11.52) and the 200-meters (23.81), and has twice been named A-10 Performer of the Week. Mungo currently leads the A-10 in the 400-meters with a time of 53.75, and is also second in the 200-meters (24.58).

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

The Outdoor Track & Field Championships will be split over two days, with action starting at 8:45 am on Saturday. Complete results, order of events and photos will be available online through www.atlantic10.com.