Track and Field set for Texas Tech Invitational
1/24/2008 12:00:00 AM
Jan. 24, 2008
FORT WORTH, Texas - The TCU track and field squad will travel west on Saturday to compete at the Texas Tech Invitational in Lubbock, Tex."We are excited to get back on the track because basically we have to use this meet as a training device because of the weird weather we have been having," said head coach Darryl Anderson. "Overall, this weekend will serve as a tool to help prepare us for Kentucky. It will be good for us to face a very good track and field program in Texas Tech."
The Texas Tech Invitational will begin with both the men's and women's field events at 10 a.m. at the Athletic Training Center on the campus of Texas Tech. Running events are expected to begin at approximately 11:30 a.m. with preliminary rounds of the women's 60-meter hurdles.
Competing against the Flyin' Frogs this weekend will be a list that includes the likes of Air Force, New Mexico State, Texas Tech, UTEP and a few additional teams.
TCU opened its 2008 campaign with a strong showing at the Arkansas Invitational as both squads had individuals who posted NCAA provisional marks.
Following the meet, seniors Jonathan Jackson and Virgil Hodge both garnered Mountain West Conference Athlete of the Week honors for their performances in Arkansas.
Hodge won both the 60-meter and 200-meter titles in Fayetteville by setting NCAA provisional marks in both events. Overall, she clocked a time of 7.38 in the 60-meter and turned in a time of 23.63 in the 200-meters. Jackson opened his 2008 season by winning the triple jump with an NCAA provisional mark jump of 15.77m (51-09.00).
In addition, freshman Stormy Harrison won her first collegiate event by capturing the women's shot put title with an NCAA provisional toss of 15.32m (50-3.25).
In total the Flyin' Frogs earned 21 top-five finishes - eight women and 13 men in their opening meet of the 2008 indoor season. Overall, TCU swept both the men's and women's 60 meter titles, while capturing the women's 200 meters, shot put, and men's triple jump.
Hodge and Jackson Honored
TCU seniors Jonathan Jackson and Virgil Hodge were selected as the Mountain West Conference men's and women's indoor track and field athletes of the week following their performances in the season opener.
Jackson, a Grand Prairie native, received the men's award after winning the men's triple jump at the season opening Arkansas Invitational. Jackson won the event for the second consecutive season by earning an NCAA provisional mark with a career-best indoor leap of 15.77m (51-09.00). His jump at the Arkansas Invite is currently the top mark in the Mountain West Conference and lone provisional mark set in the men's triple jump.
Hodge, a five-time All-American, won both the 60-meter and 200-meter titles at the Arkansas Invitational by setting NCAA provisional marks in both events. Hodge clocked a time of 7.38 in the 60-meter and turned in a time of 23.63 in the 200-meter. Her 200-meter time is good enough to rank fourth all-time in the Mountain West Conference and currently holds the front position for the season in both the league and the nation, according to TrackShark.com.
The Nations Best
The Flyin' Frogs currently have three individuals in the top-20 nationally in their respective events. On the men's side, Jonathan Jackson's leap of 15.77m is tied with George Mason's Ryan McCoy for the second longest jump of the indoor season in the triple jump. James Lemons of Georgia Tech earned the top spot by soaring 16.06m at the Clemson Invitational last weekend.
On the women's side, Virgil Hodge's time of 7.38 seconds is currently the ninth fastest time in the NCAA's, while her 200 meter time of 23.63 is the fastest clocked time in the nation. In the women's shot put, freshman Stormy Harrison sits 16th nationally with a season opening toss of 15.32m.
Top Billings In The Mountain West Conference
After its first competition of the indoor season, TCU currently holds the top spot in the Mountain West Conference in 12 different events. In addition, the Flyin' Frogs have the top three times posted in the men's 60 meters and men's and women's 200 meters. Finally, TCU leads the league in field events with top marks in the shot put, triple jump and long jump.
Newcomers Making Noise Early
TCU head coach Darryl Anderson brought in an impressive list of recruits last season, including two Track and Field News All-Americans in Mychal Dungey and Matthew Love. The newcomers put up some impressive marks in Fayetteville. On the women's side, Stormy Harrison won the shot put, while Amber Anderson placed fifth in the triple jump. Fellow newcomer La'Quinta Ross in her first collegiate outing jumped 5.73m to finish sixth overall in the long jump. On the men's side, Dungey clocked a time of 21.45 in the 200 meters to turn in a second-place finish. Jordan Pitts also placed second overall in the 60-meter hurdles by recording a time of 7.97. Finally, Las Vegas native Sean Zurko opened his career crossing the finish line in 1:52.37 to place second out of 41 competitors in the 800 meters.
TCU Spotlight
After a redshirt year in 2007, Otis McDaniel will look to regain his form that helped him capture the Outstanding Performer award at the Mountain West Outdoor Championships in 2006. At the Arkansas Invitational, McDaniel placed third overall in the 200-meter championships. During the '06 indoor season, McDaniel was part of a 4x400 relay team that earned All-America honors at the NCAA Indoor Championships by finishing eighth with a time of 3:08.82. Overall during the indoor season, he was named to the All-MWC Indoor Team in the 60 meters and 200 meters after placing third in the 60 meters and second in the 200 meters at the conference meet. Finally, McDaniel qualified for the NCAA Championships in both the 100 and 200 meters and could have a big year on the track once again in 2008.
Home Meet Information
TCU for the first time in school history will host three meets this spring at the Lowdon Track & Field Complex, including the Mountain West Conference Championships. TCU will kickoff its outdoor season with the second annual Horned Frog Invitational on March 22. Th Flyin' Frogs will then host the ninth annual TCU Invitational on April 18-19 and the Mountain West Conference Outdoor Championships on May 14-17.
What's Next
TCU will open the month of February at the Kentucky Invitational in Lexington, Ky. The two-day meet begins on Feb. 1 and will take place at the Nutter Field House on the campus of Kentucky.
Players Mentioned
