Strong track performances highlight weekend sports

The Texas A&M University-Commerce men's track and field team competed in its second meet of the season at the Bobby Lane Invitational, hosted by the University of Texas at Arlington.

On the men's side, the Lions saw strong performances in the 800-meter dash, in which they had two of the top four Division II finishers. Junior Brandon Womack led the way in ninth place (third among Division II competitors), followed by senior Robert Reed in 11th place (fourth among Division II competitors) in times of 1:57.31 and 1:58.15, respectively.

Junior Cairo Thornton finished 20th overall (third among Division II competitors) in the 400-meter dash, in a time of 50.32. Thornton was followed by freshman teammate Joel Day, who finished 28th (seventh among Division II competitors) with a time of 50.97.

The Lions next compete in the Trinity Relays in San Antonio, Texas, on April 2, with the exception of senior sprinter Chad Washington, who qualified for the 83rd annual Texas Relays in Austin, Texas, which takes place March 31-April 3.

Women's Track

The Texas A&M University-Commerce women's track and field team competed in its second meet of the season at the Bobby Lane Invitational, hosted by the University of Texas at Arlington.

The women were led by a near-provisional performance by junior Sunny Henderson in the javelin throw, in which she finished sixth (second among Division II competitors) with a throw of 39.53 meters (129-8.25), close to the NCAA Division II provisional standard of 40.00 meters (131-3). Henderson passed on all three of her throws in the finals round, having rolled her ankle on her last throw in the qualifying round.

Sophomore Shagayla Petty also performed well for the Lions, placing eighth (third among Division II competitors) in the 100-meter hurdles in a time of 14.67, just missing the Division II provisional mark of 14.55.

Additionally, junior Kate Donovan finished second (first among Division II competitors) in the 3,000-meter steeplechase with a time of 12:48.24. In the women's 4x100-meter relay, the Lions finished eleventh (second among Division II schools) in a season-best time of 49.41.

The Lions next compete in the Trinity Relays in San Antonio, Texas, on April 2, with the exception of Petty and freshman sprinter Jakesia King, who qualified for the 83rd annual Texas Relays in Austin, Texas, which takes place March 31-April 3.

Men's Golf

Freshman T.J. McColl shot a team-best 74 in Tuesday's (March 23) final round of the Midwestern State Invitational to lead the Lions' men's golf team to a 15th-place finish.

McColl finished the tournament in a tie for 27th after shooting a 230 (79-77-74). Senior Danny Jun recorded a final round 84 to post a 236 (75-77-84) and tie for 45th, freshman Tyler Duffy shot a 75 on Tuesday for a 54-hole total of 237 for a share of 51st place honors.

After an 83 in the final round, freshman Darren Whitehouse tied for 83rd with a 253 (94-80-83) and freshman Ryan Gornto was 88th with a 273 (94-87-92). Oklahoma City University picked up team title honors in convincing fashion by 23 strokes over runner up Dallas Baptist with a 290 in the final round. Clark Collier, who was the individual champion over teammate Michael Palmer in a playoff, led OKC. Collier and Palmer each recorded a four-under 210.

The Lions finished 15th with a 54-hole total of 956, two strokes out of 14th place and 18 out of 13th place recognition.

The next tournament for A&M-Commerce is the Grand Canyon University Thunderbird Invitational in Goodyear, Arizona that gets underway on Monday, March 29th.

Women's Golf

The Texas A&M University-Commerce women's golf team finished ninth at the Midwestern State Invitational on Tuesday (March 23). A&M-Commerce junior Kathleen May led the Lions with a 167 (83-84) to share 22nd place honors.

Just two strokes behind her was sophomore Malonie Oats, who finished 33rd with a 169 (83-86).

Senior Heather Pantalion tied for 40th after posting a 173 (82-91), junior Megan Benites finished 53rd with a 180 (84-96) and junior Mallory Kempf was 57th with a 191 (93-98).

West Texas A&M made a 11-stroke improvement in the final round en route to an eight stroke victory over host Midwestern State with a team total of 635. The Lady Buffs landed its top four golfers in the top 10. Erica Bensch of Central Oklahoma was the individual winner with a 10-over par 158 (76-78).

The Lions are off until April 5th when they travel to Phoenix, Arizona for the Grand Canyon Invitational.