Texas Tech University Athletics
Track Begins Outdoor Season at TCU Invitational
March 19, 2009 | Track and Field
March 19, 2009
LUBBOCK, Texas -
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The Texas Tech track & field program starts the outdoor season at the TCU Invitational after completing its most successful indoor season in school history.
Two-time All-American D'Andra Carter starts her outdoor season on Friday night as she will throw the discus at 5 p.m. She owns the school record with a throw of 189'-05". National qualifier and school-record holder Sandra Iwunze will run the 400M hurdles, as well as the 100M hurdles.
The Red Raiders school-record holder and national qualifier Harrison Benjamin will be throwing the shot on Saturday. He holds the school record with a throw of 60'-3". All-Americans Tim Foster, Markus Henderson and Rodney Mims all compete this weekend. Henderson will run the 100M and 4x400M relay. Foster and Mims are both running the 400M and 4x400M relay this weekend.
Tech begins competition on Friday at 5 p.m. with the discus throw and then on Saturday at 10 a.m. Live results of the meet can be found at www.gofrogs.com.
Last Week
The Texas Tech track programs had a banner day at the NCAA Indoor Championships as they brought home a total of nine All-American honors and the men's and women's programs recorded its best finish ever in school history. Tim Foster, Markus Henderson, Sally Kipyego, Patience Knight, Rodney Mims, Omo Osaghae and Gil Roberts all earned All-American status. Roberts was twiced name All-American as was Kipyego. Kipyego became only the second female in NCAA Division I history to win nine NCAA titles as she won the 5,000M title. She also became the only female in NCAA Division I history to win three NCAA Indoor 5,000M titles. Osaghae (60M hurdles) and Roberts (400M) both set school records at the meet.
An Amazing Career
Senior Sally Kipyego ended her career at the NCAA Indoor Championships becoming only the second female in NCAA Division I track & field history to win nine NCAA titles. She tied Suzy Favor as she won her third-straight 5,000M title which no other female has done.
Program Best Finishes
The Texas Tech track & field program had its best NCAA Indoor Championship in history. The women finished in ninth with 21 points. It is the highest finish and most points scored in the program's history. The men made history as they finished in 13th place with 18 points.
Another Level
Sally Kipyego became the first female in NCAA Division I history to win three NCAA Division I Indoor 5,000M titles.
All-Americans
Tech earned nine All-American honors this past week at the NCAA Indoor Championships. Sally Kipyego earned her 11th and 12th All-American honor in her illustrious career. Gil Roberts earned his second and third All-American award in the 400M and 4x400M relay. Tim Foster and Rodney Mims both earned their second award in the 4x400M relay. Patience Knight earned her second as well in the shot put. Omo Osaghae earned his first indoor and second All-American honor overall. Markus Henderson collected his first All-American honor in the 4x400M relay.
Star Studded Returners
Texas Tech has a total of eight All-Americans returning for the 2009 season. The group is highlighted by eight-time NCAA champion Sally Kipyego. Two-time All-American throwers Patience Knight and D'Andra Carter are the other women retuning. The men have Anthony Flemons, Tim Foster, Rodney Mims, Omo Osaghae and Gil Roberts.
Newcomers
Tech has 27 newcomers for the season. The men boast the fifth-best recruiting class in the nation by Track and Field News and the class is highlighted by Markus Henderson, Jamele Mason and Brandon Tucker. The women have a strong group of freshmen and transfers. Lillian Badaru has already made a name for herself as she earned her first All-American honor in cross country last fall.
New Additions
The Texas Tech track program added a new face as Roy Williams, a former TCU All-American, was hired to coach sprints and relays. Williams spent the last three years at the University of Texas at Arlington as the associate head coach of sprints, relays, jumps and hurdles. He coached an Olympic qualifier in the 200M and 4x100M relay and an All-American in the 110M hurdles during his tenure.
10-Year Anniversary
This season marks the 10th year that head coach Wes Kittley has been with the Texas Tech track & field program. Since then his program has had nine NCAA champions and 97 All-American honors.
Players Mentioned
