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 Third Championship in Four Years |
"This was a very different team than the one we had last year," Tech head coach Gary Stanley. "Two months ago I thought we were a third place team. But these kids really stepped it up. Winning by 1 point taught these kids a valuable lesson and will help us in the future."
After losing over 100 points to graduation from last season, Tech took the youngest team in the conference to the championship.
Seniors Nadia Alexander and Lasadies McClain both took individual championships; Alexander in the shot put with a throw of 52 feet, 10.25 inches and Mclain in the 200-meter dash at 24.37 seconds. Freshman Chasidee Lewis-Baker took the championship in the 60 at 7.49.
On the men's side, junior Mike Coleman broke not only the school record in the men's 60 but also the arena record with a time of 6.68 for the championship and a mark that is tied for 14th in the entire NCAA. The time was also an NCAA Provisional Mark. Sophomore Al Fullwood took the 200 championship at 21.38, while Cory Denstel entered the championships around seventh on the conference list in the 800 before taking home the gold at 1:53.72. The Bulldogs finished fourth overall.
The men's 4x400 had a controversial finish after Tech's Bulldogs had apparently won the championship but were disqualified for a cut-in.
"I was sorry the guys 4x400 relay team which finished first was disqualified," Stanley said. "Traditionally, some physical contact is allowed in indoor track that is not allowed in outdoor track. I was sorry to see those guys be stripped of their individual championships."
A total of 24 athletes finished with All-WAC honors, while Stanley earned another Coach of the Year honor.
"This was a great job by our coaching staff," Stanley said. "I give Shawn (Jackson), Larry (Carmichael) and Charles (Ryan) all the credit in the world. It was a great effort by these guys."
All-WAC Honors Nadia Alexander - Shot Put Simone Carter - 60, 200 Antoinette Cobb - Hurdles, 60 Latoya Collins - Long Jump Rakeisha Green - 60, 200, 4x400 Brittany Guy - Triple Jump Chasidee Lewis - 60 Lasadies McClain - 200, 4x400 El Charrita Reynolds - 400, 4x400 Phelecia Reynolds - Weight Throw Kamelia Stroy - 400, 4x400 Quatisha Williams - Long Jump, Triple Jump Mike Coleman - 60 Terry Carter - 60, 200 Matt Craig - Long Jump Cory Denstel - Men's DMR, 800 Kinsey Dinnel - Men's DMR Al Fullwood - 400, 200 Jarrith Jones - Men's DMR Jonathan Keys - Triple Jump Leighton Scott - 60, Hurdles Clyde Smith - Shot Put Demonte Willis - 400 Wesley Wilson - Men's DMR
Women - Team Rankings - 17 Events Scored 1) Louisiana Tech 122 2) Hawaii 121 3) Idaho 86 4) Utah State 85.50 5) Boise State 85 6) Nevada 83.50 7) Fresno State 69 8) New Mexico St. 11
Men - Team Rankings - 17 Events Scored 1) Utah State 179 2) Boise State 154 3) Idaho 118 4) Louisiana Tech 66