The Roadrunner men’s indoor track & field team has made winning conference championships as common an occurrence as the Texas heat.
In recent seasons, at least, the Roadrunners’ winning the conference has been seemingly guaranteed.
Make that seven consecutive seasons of success after the Roadrunners completed the 2012 Southland Indoor Championship with 134 points, besting the runner-up by 35 points in Norman, OK, on Feb. 24-25.
The championship moved the Roadrunners out of a tie for longest run of championships with Lamar, who won six consecutive Southland championships from 1980-85.
The Roadrunners’ seventh came in the school’s final season of competition in the Southland before moving to the Western Athletic Conference in July.
“I want to thank the Southland Conference for everything they’ve done for us,” Head Coach Aaron Fox said. “I’ve really enjoyed being part of the league.”
The Roadrunners won the championship thanks to 60 points earned from six gold medals. On Saturday, Feb. 25, junior Richard Garrett Jr. won gold in the shot put, sophomores Keyunta Hayes won gold in the 60-meter hurdles and Chrishunn Jamerson won gold in the 800-meter race.
Friday’s gold medalists included juniors Keith Benford in high jump, Phil Steinert in weight throw and Tyler Williamson in long jump.
For Benford, it was his third straight gold medal in the conference championship. For Steinert and Williamson, it was their second straight victory.
The Roadrunners’ next closest competitor on the final points board was UT Arlington with 99 points. Third place went to Stephen F. Austin.
“It’s been a combination of really hard work from staff and athletes,” Fox said. “It’s great for UTSA, great for the city.”
In the women’s championship, UTSA finished in fourth place with 71 points, 11 points off a podium finish and 46.5 points short of first place.
The track and field Runners will be back in action on March 9-10 when they travel to Nampa, Idaho, for the NCAA Championships.
Men’s team scores
Place / School / Points
1 UTSA………………………134
2 Texas-Arlington…………99
3 Stephen F. Austin………85
4 Lamar………………………75
5 Texas State……………….69
6 McNeese State………….47
7 Sam Houston St………..46
8 SE Louisiana…………….42
9 Central Arkansas………33
10 Northwestern St………18
11 Texas A&M-CC………..15
