University of North Texas Athletics
Women's Track Team Opens Season With Victory
1/22/2005 12:00:00 AM | Track & Field/XC
Norman, OK (01-22-05) - The North Texas women’s track team started the season off right with a first place finish in the OU Classic in
The Mean Green women brought home four gold medals and set a new school record in the 20-pound weight throw.
“The women had a great day,” said head coach Rick Watkins. “It was just the first meet, but it shows that we are going to have a great team this season. Most of these results will hold up with the best in the conference.”
In her first ever competition in the 20-pound weight throw, Jessica Henderson shattered the school record by over seven feet. Henderson, a senior, won the even with a throw of 49-6.5. The previous school record was set by Shea Lawrence in 1998.
Junior Ciji Brooks led a 1-2-3 finish for the Mean Green in the 60-meter dash. Brooks, a regional qualifier last season, took home the gold medal with a time of 8.93. Senior Jahnisha Warren finished second with a time of 9.20, and junior Deidra Wesley tied for third with a 9.37 finish.
Sophomore shot putter Stacy Orakpo brought home a victory with a throw of 41-9.75, and freshman Racquel Hudson won the 600-meter run with a time of 1:29.08.
On the men’s side, the distance runners paved the way for a third place finish for the Mean Green.
Senior Justin Kauffman took first place in the 800-meter run. The all-conference performer in cross country finished with a time 1:56.26.
The Mean Green also brought home gold in the 3,000-meter run. Senior Josh Rogers won the event in a time of 8:55.86.
Not to be outdone by the distance runners, freshman Keith Hill and senior Derek Logan also won in the sprints. Hill won the 400-meter dash with a time of 50.47 and
“We really didn’t know what to expect from the men’s team heading into this meet,” Watkins said. “But I think they came out a competed really well today.”
Both of the Mean Green track teams will return to action at the Red Raider Classic in
