May 14, 2009

HOUSTON, TEX. - HOUSTON -- South Dakota took the top two spots in the women's 10,000 meters and men's hammer throw Thursday to claim the lead in the team standings after the first day of the inaugural Great West Outdoor Track and Field Championships, hosted at Rice University by Houston Baptist. The host Huskies had a surprise gold medalist of their own, as Maximo Mendoza unleashed a devastating kick over the final 250 meters to win the men's 10,000 in a personal-best 32:27.47.

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USD has 33 points in the women's division, 10 ahead of Texas-Pan American, and they lead the men's scoring 25-19 over HBU.

The first gold medal of the championships was won by Texas-Pan American's Amanda Ferris, who dominated the hammer throw with a toss of 54.26 meters/178-0, almost 20 feet better than her teammate, Michelle Elizondo, who nabbed the silver. In the women's 10,000, Heather Kuhlmann and Kelsey Maloney picked up 19 points for South Dakota with a 1-2 finish, as Kuhlmann clocked 37:19.28 in humid conditions. Ben Walters took top honors in the men's hammer with a throw of 53.40m/175-2, ahead of teammate Preston Scott.

The leaders after the first day of the multis are Utah Valley's Michael McPherson (decathlon) and Tierra Zaugg (heptathlon).

Competition resumes Friday at 9 am with the decathlon 110-meter hurdles, and field events get under way at 4 pm. The first track event is at 6 pm with the heats in the men's 110-meter hurdles. For more information, including start lists and daily results

Results can be found on the following website:

http://www.hbuhuskies.com/stats/tfxc0708/Results_thursday.htm