University of Massachusets Athletics
2004 ATLANTIC 10 OUTDOOR TRACK & FIELD CHAMPIONSHIP TO BE HELD MAY 1-2
 |  Kwesi Frimpong-Boateng will look to defend his titles in the 100-meter and 200-meter dash. |
April 27, 2004
PHILADELPHIA, PA - The eighth annual Atlantic 10 Men's and Women's Outdoor Track & Field Championships will be held Saturday and Sunday, May 1-2 at Sports Backers Stadium in Richmond, VA.
Rhode Island has claimed the men's title the past three seasons, taking the 2003 Championship by 74 points over runner-up La Salle, 222-148. The Rams' bid for an A-10 record-tying fourth consecutive Atlantic 10 title will be contested by Duquesne, Fordham, La Salle, Massachusetts, Richmond, Saint Joseph's, and Temple.
The Championship will feature several student-athletes who have achieved NCAA Regional qualifying status this season, including William Johnston of Rhode Island in the hammer throw and La Salle's Todd Witzleben in the 10,000m. In addition, Massachusetts' Kwesi Frimpong-Boateng will look to defend his titles in the 100m and 200m dashes. The senior established Championship records with times of 10.30 and 20.90, respectively, at the 2003 Championship and was named the Most Outstanding Track Performer for his efforts. Senior Andre Reid of Rhode Island holds the meet record in the shot put (55-10 ?), also set last season, as he took home the Championship's Most Outstanding Field Performer award.
On the women's side, Rhode Island became the first team to repeat as champion since Virginia Tech (1997-98) as the Rams outdistanced runner-up Richmond last year, 207.5-136.5. Massachusetts, champions in 1999 and 2001, will be joined by Dayton, Duquesne, Fordham, La Salle, Richmond, Saint Joseph's, and Temple in quest for the crown.
La Salle senior Jenna Darcy (5,000m), Melissa Stewart of Duquesne (discus), and Richmond's Lindsey Smith (javelin) are among several A-10 women's competitors who have exceeded NCAA Regional qualifying standards this season. They are joined by senior Pascale Delaunay of Rhode Island, the Most Outstanding Field Performer of the 2003 Championship who took home gold in the long jump with a mark of 19-2 3/4.
The first day of the Championship will begin at 9:00am on Saturday, May 1 with the women's heptathlon. On Sunday, May 2, the men's decathlon begins the second day of competition at 8:45am. The schedule of events can be found on the Atlantic 10 web site (www.atlantic10.org/sports/otrack/champs.asp).