April 1, 2007

HOUSTON, Texas - The Lamar University track and field teams had solid showing at theVictor Lopez Bayou Classic track and field meet at Rice Track and Soccer Stadium on Friday and Saturday, grabbing three first place finished, and a pair of regional qualifying times.

Amanda King set a new meet record and posted a regional qualifying mark in the women's 3,000 meter steeplechase on Friday night, running a 10:34.40. The performance was just three seconds off her personal best and the Southland Conference record of 10:31.46, which she ran at the SLC Championships last year.

In her first 5,000 meter run of the outdoor season, Renee Graham turned in a strong performance with a first place finish with a 17:15. Clerc Koenck had another strong performance in a distance for LU, winning the 1,500 meter run in a time of 4:31.60, which eclipsed her school record of 4:32.73. Rachel Kingsford also placed in the top 10 in the 1,500, running a 4:46.22 for ninth place.

In the 400 meter dash, Brittany Pollard ran her best quarter mile of the season, racing to a second place finish in 56.55. Kayla LeBlanc and Porsche Williams also placed in the top 10, as LeBlanc ran a 59.08 for sixth place, while Williams finished in ninth with a time of 59.71.

Jessika Johnson grabbed a third place finish in the 100 meter hurdles, running a 14.68, while Adrianne Johnson finished in 10th place in a time of 15.39. In the 400 meter hurdles, Alexandria Mayfield posted a fourth place finish with a 1:03.34 performance.

Andrea Smith rounded out the individual top 10 finishers for the Lady Cardinals, grabbing a 10th place finish in the 800 meter run, in a time of 2:16.07. The Cardinals also had a fifth place finish in the 4x100 meter relay, with a 48.13 performance.

On the men's side, Francis Kasagule once again led the way for the Cardinals, posting a regional qualifying time in the 1,500 meter run, grabbing second place in a time of 3:46.59. Danny Shaw also ran strong in the 1,500, finishing in fourth place in a time of 3:54.13.

Frank Bwambale and Michael Gauthier each grabbed third place finishes for the Cards, Gauthier posting a 10.84 in the 100 meter dash, and Bwambale running a 14:54.13 in the 5,000 meter run. Ewan Simpson was also a top five finisher for LU, placing fourth in the 800 meter run, with a 1:53.75 performance.

Andy Hawggquist had a pair of top 10 finishes in the meet, placing eighth in the 200 meter dash with a 22.82 performance and ninth in the 400 meter dash in a time of 50.33. Jordan Lewis grabbed a 10th place finish in the 200, running a 23.20. In the 400 meter hurdles, Stephen Boone posted a seventh place finish in a time of 55.78

JaMarkus Tolbert rounded out the top 10 finishers for the Cardinal men, posting a 13.37 meter leap in the triple jump.

The Cardinals will be in action again this week, when they travel to the Texas Relays in Austin, Texas.