April 22, 2007

WACO, Texas - In their last action before hosting the 46th annual Ty Terrell Relays on Thursday, the Lamar University track and field teams ran at the Michael Johnson Invitational at the Hart-Patterson Track & Field Complex in Waco, Texas.

The Cardinals had an overall solid performance at the meet, with several athletes posting season-bests and conference bests.

Renee Graham made a splash for the Lady Cards, winning the 3,000 meter steeplechase time in the fastest time in the Southland Conference and the fourth fastest in the Midwest region this season, dashing to a 10:33.67. Her time edges out the 10:34.40 that her teammate Amanda King posted earlier this season.

Clerc Koenck ran to a season-best and SLC-best 4:28.78 in the 1,500 meter run, giving her a third place finish. She narrowly missed the automatic regional qualifying time of 4:27.80, but bested her own personal best time of 4:31.60, by three seconds.

Also running well was Amanda King who won the 5,000 meter run in a time of 17:29.97, which ranks fifth in the Southland Conference this season. Alexandra Mayfield, who ran to a first place finish in the 400 meter hurdles in a time of 1:04.59, while the 4x100 meter relay team grabbed a third place finish with a season-best time of 47.36.

On the men's side, Francis Kasagule cruised to a win in the men's 5,000 meter run, with a time of 14:10.71. His time ranks second in the Southland Conference this season. Danny Shaw improved his season-best time in the 1,500, running a 3:54.54, good for sixth place.

Austin Turnbull won the college division 800 meter run, posting a time of 1:58.39, while the men's 4x100 meter relay team also ran a season-best time on Saturday, posting a 42.03, which landed them in second place.

The Cards will wrap up the regular season on Thursday when they host the 46th annual Ty Terrell Relays at the Ty Terrell Track in Beaumont, Texas. The meet is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. with the field events.