May 4, 2002

NACOGDOCHES - The Stephen F. Austin men's and women's track and field team finished its last meet before the Southland Conference Outdoor Championships in dominate fashion Saturday. SFA recorded 15 individual champions at the SFA Invitational at Fletcher Garner Track.

Senior J.W. Potter (Big Sandy, Texas) led the charge for the Lumberjacks with his school-record time of 1:49.55 in the 800 meters to finish first. Potter's mark is also the fastest mark in the SLC this season. Sophomore Alex Beckworth (Desoto, Texas) dominated the hurdles winning both the 110-meter hurdles (14.41) and the 400m hurdles (53.30). Junior Paul Todd (Marshall, Texas) won the high jump of 2.08 meters. Other Lumberjack individual champions included sophomore Nathan Flores (Kingwood, Texas) in the in the 3,000-meter steeplechase (9:18.91) and sophomore Justin Meier (Lorena, Texas) in the 1,500 meters (3:54.95).

On the women's side, senior Destine Rawls (Houston, Texas) continued to have a strong outdoor season winning both the shot put (15.06m) and the discus (47.82m). Classmate Misty Ballard-Swan (Carlsbad, N.M.) won the pole vault with her mark of 3.65m. Junior Jessica Claiborne (Spring, Texas) won the 200m dash with her time of 24.46. Junior Mashay Utley (Houston, Texas) followed that up with a victory in the 400m, with her time of 57.39. Sophomore Ana Rodriguez (Dallas, Texas) was the top collegiate runner in the 1,500m with her time of 4:45.47. Other Ladyjack individual champions included junior Bonnie McHan (Abilene, Texas) in the 400m hurdles (1:01.65), freshman Teresa Murray (Priddy, Texas) in the high jump (1.65m) and the Ladyjacks 4X100m relay (45.93) and 4X400m relay (3:52.24) squads.

"This was our best meet of the season," said SFA head coach Phil Olson. "This is exactly the kind of meet we were looking for as we head into the conference championships. We saw solid performances from all areas tonight. Everybody did their part and it was a great team effort."

The SFA track and field team will be back in action Friday May 10 at the Southland Conference Outdoor Championships in Arlington, Texas. The conference championships will run through Sunday May 12.

-SFA-