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    SFA Takes Early Lead at SLC Indoor Meet
    SFA men and women win four conference titles on first day
    Junior Crystal Chang
    Junior Crystal Chang

    Feb. 18, 2005

    HOUSTON, Texas - The Stephen F. Austin men and women's track and field team jumped out to early leads after the first day of competition at the Southland Conference Indoor Championships Friday night. The Ladyjacks scored 65 points to lead Texas State, 65-40, while the Lumberjacks scored 58.50 to lead the Bobcats by 18.5 points heading into the final day of competition.

    Junior Crystal Chang got the Ladyjacks out to a quick start winning the pentathlon title with her school-record and NCAA provisional score of 3,715 points. Senior Lindsey Bryson finished fifth overall scoring 3,363 points. Senior Ana Rodriguez recorded an individual title in the 5,000 meters when she edged out teammate Ashley Monteau for top honors. Rodriguez recorded a time of 17:21.14, while Monteau finished second overall with a time of 17:24.59. Sophomore Markeisha Edwards recorded All-SLC honors in the weight throw finishing second overall with a toss of 55-7.50. The Ladyjacks were dominant in the high jump placing four athletes in the top six, led by freshman Meghan Denman (5-8.50) who earned all-conference by finishing tied for second. Seniors Teresa Murray and Jocelyn Stevens finished tied for fourth clearing 5-8.50. Freshman Audrey Azu finished sixth overall with her jump of 5-6.50. The women's distance medley relay team also scored for SFA recording a fourth place finish.

    The Lumberjacks were led by sophomore Reggie Lazenby and their distance medley relay team. Lazenby recorded a jump of 24-00.25 in the long jump win his first career league title. Senior DeVaughn Rettig also scored for SFA in the long jump finishing fifth overall with a mark of 23-3.25. The team of Robert Smith, Erik Powell, Chance Edwards and Cole Hollingsworth followed that up with a league title in the distance medley relay (10:16.07). The Lumberjacks also had a strong showing in the high jump placing two athletes in the top four. Newcomers Cale Trail and Carlious Owens finished tied for fourth in the event after clearing a height of 6-4.75. Sophomore Darwin Johnson just missed all-conference honors in the weight throw with his toss of 52-8.00 to finish fourth overall. Mike Ludlow scored points for the `Jacks in the pole vault when cleared a height of 15-3.00 to finish fifth overall.

    SFA returns to action Saturday for the second and final day of the SLC Indoor Championships. The meet will begin with the 8:30 a.m., with the final three events of the men's heptathlon. Field events begin at 11 a.m., while the track events are slated to begin at 1:30 p.m., with the women's one-mile final.

    -SFA-