By Steve Holt, Sports Editor
Thirty men’s and women’s track and field athletes will compete at the Texas-Arlington Open Friday and Saturday.
The meet marks the next-to-last chance for ACU athletes to qualify for the NCAA Division II Championship in San Angelo May 23-25.
Head coach Jon Murray said that attempting to qualify this late in the season produces more problems than other times in the season.
“As we get closer to finals and the end of school, the competitions get harder because of the stress with school and the end of the season,” Murray said.
Twenty-five men’s and 23 women’s athletes or relays have already qualified provisionally or automatically for nationals. Head coach Jon Murray said he wants several individuals and relays to qualify or qualify better, including several men in the 200 meters, Sofi Hildenborg in the 400 meters and the women’s 4×400-meter relay.
Sprinter Nic Alexander will look to improve his qualifying time in the 200 meters, while Christie Van Wyk and Rodney Pitts seek their first qualifying times in the event.
Other notable men participating at UTA include high jumper Terrance Woods and John Kemboi in the 800 meters.
Headliners for the women’s team include high jumper Maresa Cadienhead, pole vaulter Meredith Garner and half-miler Angie Waters.
ACU will have some good team competition with UTA, North Texas, SMU, Texas Christian and others.
Senior Shauna-Gaye Stephens competed in the heptathlon at the TSU Multi-Events Wednesday, attempting to join teammate Alice Bergstrom in the event at nationals. Murray said he sent her to Stephenville because the UTA Open does not offer the heptathlon as an event.
Wildcat athletes have one more meet after this weekend to qualify for the national meet. ACU will play host to the ACU Open May 9, then not compete until the NCAA Division II Championship in San Angelo May 23-25.
Men
Nic Alexander-200m
Nick Branen-3,000m steeplechase.
Adrian Brown-200m, 400m
Todd Faubus-HJ
John Kemboi-800m
Joe Medrano-3,000 steeplechase
Jose Meneses-100m, 200m
Rodney Pitts-200m
Shai Shalev-hammer throw, shot put
Justin Thompson-3,000 steeplechase
Christie Van Wyk-200m
Ben Washington-triple jump
Terrance Woods-high jump
4x100m relay
Women
Marichea Austin-200m
Alice Bergstrom-HJ, javelin
Maresa Cadienhead-HJ
Kimone Campbell-100m, 200m
Elricia Francis-200m
Meredith Garner-PV
Val Gorter-PV
Sofi Hildenborg-400m
Amie Lindley-3,000m
Brandy Lynch-shot put, discus
Jane McNeill-PV
Shelena Poindexter-shot put, discus
Wendy Seitz-400m-hurdles
Angie Waters-800m
Amie Williams-shot put, discus 4x400m relay
