March 22, 2012

BEAUMONT, Texas - The Lamar University men's and women's track teams open the outdoor season this weekend by competing at the Victory Lopez Classic at Rice University in Houston.

The competition starts at 10 a.m. Friday with the men's hammer throw, with the track events set to start at 3 p.m. Friday with the 4x100 relays. Saturday's field events get underway at 11 a.m. with the men's shot put and women's discus. Saturday's track finals start at 6 p.m., concluding with the 4x400 relays at 8:45 p.m.

Both Lamar squads look to build off solid finishes to the indoor track season. The Lamar men placed fourth at the Southland Conference Championships, while the Lady Cardinals placed sixth.

Matt Johnsen of the LU men's team was named the conference's outstanding runner after winning the conference title in the 5,000 meters and placing second in the 3,000 meters. Lamar's Ryan Creech was the Southland Conference Freshman of the Year after placing third in the 5,000 meters and eighth in the 3,000 meters.

Lamar's Tom Wade was a conference champion in the men's 3,000 meters, while Samantha Walkow won the conference championship in the women's mile run.

LAMAR