Brad Gebauer wins Southland Conference indoor pole vault title

Feb. 16, 2007

Houston, TX - Brad Gebauer became the second McNeese State athlete to ever win the Southland Conference indoor pole vault championship when he took the event here Friday during the opening day of the league's two day meet.

Gebauer, who had entered the meet with the nation's top vault, went 17-0 3/4 for the winning effort.

Teammate Jimmie Heath tied for eight place in the event with a vault of 15-7.

The only other Cowboy conference indoor pole vault champion has been Cameron Nott who won in 2004.

The Cowboys pulled down 23 1/2 points in the opening day as Marcus Brown finished sescond in the long jump at 23-11 and Jon Fagan took fourth at 23-6 1/4.

Darrick Brown, a favorite in the long jump with the season's top distance, did not compete because of an injury.

Those were the only points scored by the Cowboys on the first day while the Cowgirls claimed but two points, all of them from Debranique Warnell.

In her very first time taking part in the pentathlon, Warnell finished seventh with 3,240 points.

Fagan was the first day leader in the men's heptathlon with 2,964 points after four events. He finished first in the 60 meter dash at 7.16 and was first in the long jump at 23-3 1/4. He also placed third in the shot put at 41-8 1/2 and was third in the high jump at 6-0.

The heptathlon will conclude on Saturday.

Though they didn't score any team points, Alan Foolkes finished ninth in the men's 5000 meter run at 15:08.86 and Jimbo Hill placed 15th in the weight throw at 44-4 3/4.

No point finishes for the Cowgirls on Friday had Stephanie Gilbert go 50-6 3/4 in the weight throw, Desiree Boxie placed 10th in the long jump at 17-9 and Warnell finished 12th at 17-3 1/4.

Sonia Clark did not finish the 5000 meter run while Quinten Lawrence did not start in the 60 meter dash.

Stephen F. Austin leads both divisions. The Lumberjacks scored 46 1/2 points to pace the men and the Lady Jacks scored 56 points to lead the women.