Junior Daniel Neal and Senior Shea Snow look to lead the Mountaineers this weekend at the SoCon Championships. (Photo: ASU Athletics) M. Track, at SoCon Outdoor Championships, April 26-27: Game statistics W. Track, at SoCon Outdoor Championship, April 26-27: Game statistics

Track and Field Teams Head to Cullowhee for SoCon Championships
by Appalachian Sports Information

April 25, 2008 - BOONE, N.C.- The Appalachian State track and field teams look to continue with their 2008 outdoor success as they head to Cullowhee, N.C. to compete in the Southern Conference Outdoor Championships. The meet will take place April 26-27, beginning 9 a.m. Saturday morning with the decathlon. Western Carolina is this year's host and all events will take place at the Catamount Athletic Complex.

The Appalachian women look to knock off last year's outdoor champion Georgia Southern. In 2007, the Eagles snapped ASU's five-year SoCon Championship win streak, lasting from 2002-2006. The Mountaineers also look to defeat arch-rival Western Carolina. The Catamounts will provide stiff competition, as they captured the 2008 indoor title.

Only four schools have won the women's title since the conference meet began in 1986. Appalachian tops the list with 15 titles, while Western Carolina has four, and Georgia Southern and East Tennessee State have each won one.

Contributors for the Apps have come from all over throughout the 2008 season.

In the high jump, Rebecca Hazeltine and Bridgette Hills have been impressive, as both currently hold the top two rankings in the conference standings.

Danielle Thorpe has been solid in both the long and triple jump, as she is ranked tenth in the conference in the long jump and sixth in the triple jump.

Other contributors for the Mountaineers include senior Brittani Williams. The defending outdoor champion in the discus, Williams has been dominant in the throwing events, as she ranks first in the SoCon in the discus, and second in both the hammer and shot put.

In the sprint events, Ashley McKiver has been solid, as she ranks fifth and sixth in the conference in the 100 meter and 200 meter dash.

The men's team is in the hunt for their first title since 2005. Appalachian won five straight titles from 2001-2005. SoCon foe Western Carolina has won the outdoor championship crown for the past two years.

Senior Joel Gaddy looks to lead the Apps into this weekend's competition, as he been a standout performer for Appalachian during the course of 2008 season. Gaddy ranks first in the conference in triple jump, and second in the long jump, and is just one of two Mountaineers that have qualified for the NCAA Regional Meet.

Along with Gaddy, teammate Daniel Neal looks to defend his outdoor title in the 110 meter hurdles, as he currently holds the first place ranking in the SoCon in that event.

In the distance events, the Mountaineers will have to rely on strong performances from Phil Mitchell, Brian Deal, Josh Houser, Ryan O'Keefe and Blair Teal. Mitchell won the 10,000 meter run at the 2007 outdoor championships.

Appalachian has also been strong in the pole vault and weight events during the outdoor campaign, and looks to continue with their solid performances.

ASU holds down the top five spots in pole vault, in the SoCon rankings, with Ryan Twiford holding the first place ranking.

In the weight events, Wes Kiser ranks first in the hammer, and second in both the shot put and discus in the conference standings. He has qualified for the NCAA Regional meet in hammer.

For complete results and updates from the 2008 SoCon Outdoor Championships, stay logged on to GOASU.com.