Feb. 25, 2012

NORMAN, Okla. - The Lamar University men's track team won two events on the first day of the first day of the Southland Conference Indoor Track & Field Championships on Friday.

Lamar's Matt Johnsen won the men's 5,000 meters in a time of 14 minutes, 40.74 seconds in a race that saw teammate Ryan Creech finish third in 14:52.72. Meanwhile, the Lamar distance-medley squad of Alex Dela Garza, Ronnie Whitty, Aaron Malek and Tom Wade took first in 10:07.97.

The Lamar men sat in third place after the first day with 31 points. UTSA led the 11-team field with 54 points. Stephen F. Austin was second with 32 points.

Andy Fontenot of Lamar placed fourth in the men's long jump with a leap of 7.33 meters (24 feet, 0.75 inches).

The Lamar women are in eighth place of the 12-team field after the first day with 15 points. Stephen F. Austin holds a commanding lead with 49.5 points. UTSA is second with 38 points.

Lamar got fourth-place finishes from Taylor Cloy in the women's 5,000 meters (17:39.79) and the distance-medley quartet of Samantha Walkow, Saschelle Slaughter, Tessa Denis and Becky Gough (12:18.7).

Lamar's Beatrice Douglas was sixth in the pentathlon with 3,392 points. Carissa Hill placed seventh in the women's long jump with an effort of 5.58 meters (18-3.75).

The competition concludes Saturday.

LAMAR