Rams Lead the Way After Day One of A-10 Championship

May 3, 2008

Day One Results from the A-10 Championship

AMHERST, Mass. -- Despite chilly conditions and intermittent periods of rain, Rhode Island sits in first place after the first day of competition at the 2008 Atlantic 10 Men's Outdoor Track & Field Championship, held at the Track & Field Complex on the campus of the University of Massachusetts.

Through seven events, the Rams have totalled 75 points. Charlotte is second with 51 points, followed by Duquesne (36), Massachusetts (25) and La Salle (25), Fordham (17), Temple (14), Richmond (14), Saint Joseph's (nine) and Xavier (four).

Three Rhody student-athletes earned individual titles on day one. Senior Sean Strizzi cleared a height of 15-1 (4.60m) en route to becoming the A-10's first four-time champion in the pole vault. Shuuzabaio Kida and John Carstensen also cleared 15-1, but finished second and third, respectively, by virtue of attempts. Michael Elliott and Shawn Leonard each cleared a height of 6-06.25 (1.99m) in the high jump, to finish 1-2 in the event, respectively. Elliott took first place by virtue of attempts.

Derek Peterson led three Rams in the top four in the discus, winning the individual title with a toss of 171-05 (52.26m). Ryan McCarthy (46.77m/153-05) was second and Tyler Adams (45.54m/149-05) placed fourth.

Three URI student-athletes placed in the top five of the hammer throw. Michael Bernardo was second overall (57.84m/189-09), while Peterson (53.15m/174-04) was fourth and McCarthy (52.86m/173-05) was fifth. Yudehwheh Gbaa was second in the long jump, with a leap of 22-09 (6.93m). Michael Russell was sixth (6.81m/22-04.25). Steven Lally was fifth in the high jump (1.89m/6-02.25).

Three Rams will compete in tomorrow's 100m finals - Michael Bland (11.06), Brendan Lamboy (11.23) and Michael Russell (11.42) - each advanced. Additionally, Alex Reid (14.57), Yudehwheh Gbaa (14.61) and Brian Alexander (15.32) will compete in the finals of the 110m hurdles.

In the decathlon, James Whelan totalled 3137 points through the first five events - good for second place. Manuel Richards - with 3033 points - sits in fourth place.

Action commences at 8:45am on Sunday, May 4, with the 110m hurdles in the men's decathlon, followed by the women's javelin at 9:00am. For complete coverage of the 2008 Atlantic 10 Men's & Women's Outdoor Track & Field Championships, including live audio and video coverage, log on to Atlantic10.com