Sophomore Matt Boruff set a school and SoCon record in the heptathlon. (Photo Courtesy of the Southern Conference) Game statistics

Men's Track and Field Team Finishes Second at SoCon Championships
by Appalachian Sports Information

March 1, 2008 - CLEMSON, S.C.- The Appalachian men's track and field squad fell just short of winning a Southern Conference title Saturday afternoon, as the Mountaineers finished second at the SoCon Championships. Conference foe Western Carolina took home the title scoring 263 points, while the Apps had 256.50.

Numerous Mountaineers were impressive at the meet, as nine grabbed individual conference titles.

Senior Brian Deal finished his indoor track and field career in style as he won both the 3000 meter run and the 5000 meter run. Deal earned all-SoCon honors for his performances.

In the 3000m run, teammates Phil Mitchell and Amseron Desta were right behind Deal as they grabbed the third and fourth place spots. Desta and Mitchell also posted strong performances in the 5000m run as they finished second and third respectively, while senior Ryan O'Keefe placed fourth.

The Apps were strong in the other distance events as well, as sophomore Josh Houser grabbed the runner-up spot in the mile run with a time of 4:14.20, while Deal and Mitchell notched the third and fourth place spots. Houser also finished fifth in the 800 meter run, while Andrew Yarchin placed sixth.

Junior Daniel Neal won the conference title in the 60 meter hurdles, as he placed first with a time of 8.05. His performance moved him into third on ASU's all-time list in the event. Freshman Phillip Bush was right on Neal's heels, as he placed second in the event with a time of 8.33. Neal's time was good enough to move him into fourth on Appalachian's all-time list.

Both Neal and Bush also competed in the 60 meter dash, and finished fifth and sixth respectively, while teammate Ricky Harris placed seventh.

Sophomore Matt Boruff shined in the heptathlon, as he recorded a new Appalachian record and new Southern Conference record in the event, scoring 4720 points.

The Mountaineers proved their dominance in the field events, as senior Joel Gaddy posted stand-out performances in both the long jump and triple jump. The Charlotte native won both events and picked up all-SoCon honors, along with being named the Oustanding Field Performer of the meet. In addition to Gaddy, Ricky Harris and Mark Sturgis were also strong in both events, as Harris placed second in the long jump, and Sturgis finished third in the long jump and third in the triple jump.

In the weight events, senior Wes Kiser led the way for Appalachian, as he notched a first place finish in the weight throw with a throw of 61-00.75. His throw moves him into third all-time for Appalachian. Kiser was solid in the shot put, as he finished second in the event.

Grant Haun and Tim Daly placed right behind Kiser in the weight throw as they picked up the second and third place finishes.

Freshman Mike Wilson picked up his first Southern Conference title, as he was victorious in the pole vault. Wilson vaulted 15-5 to win the event. Senior Barron Shell placed third in the event, vaulting 15-1.

Rounding out the meet, ASU's distance medley relay team grabbed first place as they finished the event in 10:18.42. Members of the relay were Sam Mordecai, Nick Zeller, Andrew Yarchin and Josh Houser.

The Mountaineers will return to action March 8, as they travel to Blacksburg, Va. to compete at the NCAA Qualifying Meet.