Tech Track Opens Season with Home Meet
January 13, 2011 | Track and Field
Jan. 13, 2011
LUBBOCK, Texas - The Texas Tech track teams have reason for optimism as it hosts its first meet of the season, the Texas Tech Open at the Athletic Training Center this Fri., Jan 14 and Sat., Jan 15, as 20 All-Americans return for the 2011 season.
Tech is coming into the season ranked No. 7 on the men's side and the women are No. 18 according to the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association computer rankings. Last season the track program earned 34 All-American honors, which is the most in program history.
The men's team at No. 7 is the second highest-ranked Big 12 team in the nation. The strength indoors comes from the sprints and jumps. All-Americans Bryce Lamb and Darrell Roddick return to give Tech a strong presence in the jumps. Lamb won both the indoor long jump and triple jump and was named Big 12 Indoor Performer of the Year, Freshman of the Year and High-Point Performer. He was the first Big 12 student-athlete to accomplish all three in a single season.
The sprints are also a high point for the Tech men's team. Bryce Brown and Latoy Williams are back from the men's All-American 4x400M relay team to provide a strong base for the relay. Markus Henderson, a 2009 All-American, is healthy after being injured towards the end of the 2010 outdoor season.
The Lady Raiders begin the season at No. 18 and are one of five schools from the Big 12 ranked. The team has an all-around solid team with numerous All-American returners. The distance crew is highlighted by Purity Biwott and Caroline Karunde returning as well as cross country All-Americans Winrose Karunde and Rose Tanui in the mix.
Big 12 Champion Shade Weygandt returns after an impressive freshman campaign to defend her crown. The women's 4x400M that earned All-American status returns Taylor Evans, Erica Alexander and Candace Jackson from that squad.
The Texas Tech Open starts this Fri., Jan 14 at 6 p.m. with field events and running to start at 7 p.m. Saturday's festivities will begin with field events at 10 a.m. and running at 11:30 a.m. Results can be found at www.texastech.com .
Players Mentioned
