May 27, 2009

NORMAN, Okla. - Two Lamar University track and field athletes will take on the top individuals in the Midwest region this weekend, when they hit the track in Norman, Okla. for the Midwest Regional Championship hosted by the University of Oklahoma at the John Jacobs Track and Field Complex on Friday and Saturday.

Craig Bailey and Samuel Kosgei will represent the University in the long jump and the 5,000 meter run respectively. Both athletes will be competing on Friday evening.

Bailey, who punched his ticket to the regional meet with a jump of 24 feet three and a half inches to win the Ty Terrell Relays, will hit the track at 5 p.m. He will compete against a field of 25 jumpers.

Kosgei, who punched his ticket to the regional meet by winning the 5,000 meters at the Southland Conference championship, will take the track at 9 p.m. An NCAA indoor All American at 5,000 meters, he will be a strong contender to qualify for the national meet.

A minimum of the top-five finishers in each event at each regional site will automatically qualify for the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships from June 10-13 at John McDonnell Field in Fayetteville, Ark.