Track and Field

[UNTLifer]

Track & field: N. Texas seeks indoor success

03/01/2003

By Tim MacMahon / Staff Writer

The North Texas men’s track team has earned plenty of hardware recently, winning the two of the last three outdoor titles.

The women want some glory, too. UNT’s women are picked by the conference’s coaches to repeat last season’s runner-up finish at the Sun Belt Indoor Track and Field Championships, which are being held this weekend in Jonesboro, Ark.

"We hope this is our year," said Rick Watkins, UNT’s director of track and field. "We were second at this meet last year, and we feel like we have more depth and talent."

The UNT men are predicted in the coaches’ poll to finish third.

"Our goal is to be in the top four," Watkins said. "From there, anything can happen. But the guys have to be at their absolute best."

Middle Tennessee, which has won the last two men’s and women’s indoor titles, is picked to defend both titles.

The strength of the UNT women is in the sprints and field events.

Senior Ananka Clark has the Sun Belt’s best time this season in the 60 meters with a school-record 7.63 and is also a threat to win the 200. Senior Monica Coates is the defending league indoor champion in the 55 hurdles and has run the second-best time in the Sun Belt this season.

Watkins said UNT could have four of the top eight finishers in the women’s high jump and shot put. Freshman Ciji Brooks has the best shot put (44-1) in the league this season, and Latrecia Taylor is the defending champion in the event. Jessica Shockley won the outdoor title in the high jump last spring, and freshman Diedra Wesley has the league’s best jump (5-6) this spring.

The UNT men most likely to medal include pole vaulter Ryan Lancon, high jumper and triple jumper Jarrod Stone, shot putter Jerome Carrothers and Ryan product David Turner in the 400.

TIM MACMAHON can be reached at 940-566-6870

Sun Belt Indoor Track and Field Championships coaches’ polls

Men Pts

1. Middle Tennessee 80 (8)

2. Arkansas State 65

3. North Texas 61 (1)

4. Western Kentucky 53

5. Louisiana-Lafayette 51

6. Ark.-Little Rock 33

7. Florida International 28

8. South Alabama 22

9. New Orleans 12

Women Pts

1. Middle Tennessee 98 (9)

2. North Texas 87 (1)

3. Florida International 71

4. New Mexico State 66

5. Arkansas State 62

6. Western Kentucky 56

7. Arkansas-Little Rock 36

8. Louisiana-Lafayette 31

9. South Alabama 28

10. New Orleans 15

First-place votes in parentheses