Friday, April 21, 2000

ACU aims to extend LSC track superiority
By Ted Dunnam
Reporter-News Staff Writer

Abilene Christian University tries to continue its dominance of the Lone Star Conference track and field championships today and Saturday at the home of its chief rival and top challenger, Angelo State University.

The ACU men look to extend their LSC championship wining streak to seven years while the Lady Wildcats try to remain undefeated in LSC championship history, having won all 16 titles dating back to 1983.

“For the men to be successful, we’ll really have to dominate the running events,’’ ACU head coach Jon Murray said. “From the 100 to the 10,000, we’re going to have to perform because we don’t have much depth.’’

However, the Wildcats enter the meet with the top time or distance in nine of the 20 events.

Nic Alexander, a redshirt freshman from Trinidad, ran a legal wind-aided time of 10.19 last weekend to win the 100 meters at the Mount Sac Relays in Walnut, Calif. Juleon Raeburn is the LSC’s top quartermiler after having posted a best of 46.48 this year in the event.

Raeburn will also anchor the Wildcat 400- and 1,600-meter relay teams.

“On paper, if we do what we need to do we should win,’’ Murray said. “We’re probably a better outdoor team than indoors just because there are more running events outdoors. Both of our relays should do well.’’

A host of Wildcats could come away with wins this weekend. They included John Kemboi in the 800 and 1,500 meters, Shaka Huggins in the 110 hurdles, Jason Prann in the 400 hurdles and Terrance Woods in the long jump.

The Lady Wildcats should receive a strong challenge from Angelo State for the women’s title.

“It’s going to be our quality against their quality and quantity,’’ Murray said. “We could win a lot of events, but Angelo could get a lot of seconds and thirds.

“There’s a possibility we could win every field event and not win the meet. We’ve got to hope to perform well in the field events and break even in the running events.’’

Lady Wildcats who could emerge with field event titles include Geraldine George in the javelin and shot put; Meredith Garner in the pole vault; Dawnyel Newhouse in the long jump, Hillerie Shelton in the triple jump and Selena Bettis in the hammer throw.

ACU will be hampered in the field event competition as Jane McNeil, the 1999 Division II indoor champion and second-ranked vaulter in the LSC, injured her back in practice Wednesday and will likely not compete in the meet.

Shawntel Newhouse, the top-ranked 100-meter hurdler in Division II, will be the favorite in that event. Other Lady Wildcats who should perform well in running events include Angie Waters in the 800 meters, April Rizzuto in the 10,000 meters and Wendy Jo Seitz in the 400 hurdles.

ACU’s 400-meter relay time of 46.94 ranks first in the conference.

Contact assistant sports editor Ted Dunnam at dunnamt@abinews.com or at 676-6771. We are on the Web at http://sports.texnews.com.