SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The 2012 Southern Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championship is set for Saturday and Sunday (April 21-22) at the Catamount Athletic Complex in Cullowhee, N.C.
The championship will begin Saturday at 9:00 a.m. with the men’s decathlon, followed by the women’s heptathlon events at 9:15 a.m. The awards ceremony is tentatively scheduled for Sunday at 5:50 p.m.
The Appalachian State men and women claimed the outdoor titles last year. It was the men’s second consecutive title, while the women earned their seventh conference title since 2002. Both Mountaineer programs have the most outdoor championship titles in league history.
There are 18 student-athletes returning to this year’s championship looking to defend their 2011 individual titles.
On the men’s side, Appalachian State’s Darius Purcell, The Citadel’s Brunson Miller and Samford’s Michael Seaman all won individual titles at the indoor championship in February, while setting new league records. Each of them also won their respective events at the 2011 SoCon Outdoor Championship.
In the women’s competition, College of Charleston’s Dena O’Brien, UNCG’s Ashley Schnell and Western Carolina’s Felisha Garren, look to defend their titles this weekend. Each won individual titles at the indoor championship and set new league records with their performances.
Through all meets during the season, Appalachian State leads in both the men’s and women’s power rankings. The Mountaineers are followed by Western Carolina and Samford to round out the top three.
The rankings are determined by the top eight times or scores that are reported by the schools for each event that will be conducted at this weekend’s championships.
The championship is free to the public. Live results, daily recaps, daily photos and video highlights can be found on the Southern Conference web site, www.SoConSports.com.
Men's Outdoor Track and Field Power Rankings
Appalachian State 226
Western Carolina 199
Samford 96
The Citadel 89
UNCG 57
Chattanooga 50
Davidson 47
Furman 34
Wofford 8
Women's Oudoor Track and Field Power Rankings
Appalachian State 213
Western Carolina 142
Samford 115
Georgia Southern 87
Elon 87
College of Charleston 59
UNCG 51
The Citadel 24
Furman 23
Chattanooga 5
Wofford 4
Davidson 0