Lane Dennis, Michael Courtney tops in SLC prelims
5/10/2008 1:00:00 AM | Track & Field
Michael Courtney and Lane Dennis highlighted performances by the Sam Houston State men's track and field team in Saturday's prelims for the running events at the Southland Conference track and field championships.
Courtney was the top qualifier in the 400 meter dash with a time of 46.67seconds. Looking to repeat as the 400-meter dash champion, Courtney took a big step toward that with a top time of 46.67 in the preliminary round.
“I just wanted to come out here in the preliminaries and win my heat,” Courtney said. “I'm glad that I was able to do that today. Hopefully, tomorrow I'll be able to defend the 400 championship.”
Looking to put himself in prime position for the 400-meter hurdles finals, junior Lane Dennis ran a solid race and cruised into the finals with a time of 50.87 seconds. Sophomore Adlus Wiltz of Southeastern Louisiana trailed just behind Dennis with a 50.98 posting.
“I felt confident coming in,” Dennis said. “I'm shooting for a 49 tomorrow. The guy from Southeastern Louisiana; I wasn't shocked by him. He was pretty good last year. He didn't do well in the finals, but he was good in the prelims. I raced him last year in the prelims and he was good.”
But Dennis isn't looking past the other finalists just yet. He knows he still has to go out and run a good race in order to defend his SLC 400-hurdles crown.
“I'm not surprised. I don't underestimate anybody. I just keep God first and go out there and get it.” Dennis added. “I'm going to go home and get a lot of rest and concentrate on tomorrow.
“I'm not taking it lightly on anybody. If the Atlanta Hawks can come out and force a game seven and the New England Patriots can get beat, then I know anything can happen. I need to go out and execute my race. I want them to remember me. I respect them, but I'm going out there to win”
In the men's 1,500-meter run, Josh Hawkins and Taylor Ray qualified with times of 3:58.45 and 4:01.41, respectively. Scottie Jones had the fourth-best time and John Thomas had the sixth as both look to medal in the men's 110-meter hurdles.
Alongside Dennis, Jay Newman will run in the men's 400-meter hurdles and Kevin Houston qualified for the finals in the 200-meter dash.
Chris Nelson placed eighth in the high jump with a leap of six feet, 8.75 inches to highlight the field events for the Sam Houston men.
Chris Cralle won the hammer throw Friday.
The action in the Southland Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships concludes Sunday with the finals in the running events plus several field events.
Hammer Throw
1 Chris Cralle 61.02mM 200-02 Javelin 9 Kelby Shandy-Kerby 53.12m 174-03 High Jump 8 Chris Nelson 2.05m 6-8.75 Shot Put 13 Jon Tipton 46 feet, 10.25 1500 Meters Prelims 6 Josh Hawkins 3:58.45Q 11 Taylor Ray 4:01.41Q 110 Meter Hurdles Prelims 4 Scottie Jones 14.39Q 6 John Thomas 14.48Q 400 Meters Prelims 1 Michael Courtney 46.67Q 5 Darryl Hayes 47.16Q 16 Ganiyu Odunsi 48.91 100 Meters Prelims 11 Kevin Houston 10.73 19 Jonathan Harris 10.88 30 James Ray 11.19 800 Meters Prelims 13 Matt Stephenson 1:55.34 15 George Whitney 1:55.60 18 Julius Michael 1:56.17 29 Joseph Anderson 2:04.30 400 Meter Hurdles Prelims 1 Lane Dennis 50.87Q 6 Jay Newman 52.61Q 10 Scottie Jones 54.52
200 Meters Prelimes 7 Kevin Houston 21.36Q 16 Jonathan Harris 22.03 32 James Ray 22.67
SOUTHLAND CONFERENCE OUTDOOR TRACK AND FIELD
Friday, May 9 through Sunday, May 11 Meredith and Miriam York Track Complex at Bowers Stadium Huntsville, Texas
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