Feb. 24, 2007

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - The TCU women's track and field team gained more than 100 points to jump to third place in the final standings of the 2007 Mountain West Conference Indoor Championships, while the men jumped up a spot to finish in fifth.

BYU won the women's event with a score of 179, followed by Colorado State (122), TCU (116), San Diego State (76), Wyoming (47), Utah (45), New Mexico (38), Air Force (21) and UNLV (18). The Cougars also won the men's event with 180 points, followed by Colorado State (143), Air Force (103), Wyoming (100), TCU (69) and New Mexico (62).

Overall, the men and women accounted for six event wins, two new school records, six NCAA provisional times and one NCAA automatic time on Saturday.

"I thought we came back today and did much better," said TCU head coach Darryl Anderson. "We had a lot of people step up and do some great things today."

Virgil Hodge had another outstanding performance on Saturday, winning the 60-meter and 200-meter dash events. Hodge took the top spot in the 60-meter dash and recorded an NCAA provisional time by posting a clocking of 7.37. In the 200-meter dash, Hodge recorded a time of 23.27 to shatter a school record, Albuquerque Convention Center record, MWC meet record and MWC all-time indoor record, which was set back on March 8, 2002.

Jamee Jones followed Hodge in the 60-meter dash with a third-place finish (7.55), while Kishelle Paul recorded a second-place showing in the 200-meter dash with a time of 24.22. Paul would go on to post a third place finish in the 60-meter hurdles with a time of 8.59.

Nathandra John also recorded a record-breaking performance for the women in the 400-meter dash with a second place finish. John, a senior from Lower Cayon, St. Kitts, broke a TCU record with a time of 53.80, which is also an NCAA provisional time. Deborah Jones followed in third place by recording an NCAA provisional time of 53.92.

Calandra Stewart had an impressive showing in the women's one-mile run, placing third with a time of 4:59.50. The Houston, Texas, native also posted a time of 10:28.99 to finish ninth in the 3000-meter run.

The women also excelled in the field on Saturday, winning the triple jump and shot put events. Neidra Covington, a freshman from St. Petersburg, Fla., shattered a school record in the triple jump with a leap of 13.05 meters (42 -09.75). Candis Kelley took the top spot in the shot put with a throw of 15.07 meters (49 -05.50).

Delwayne Delaney highlighted the day for the men by winning the 60-meter dash event. The TCU senior posted an NCAA provisional time of 6.68 to grab the top spot. Delaney also led the TCU men in the 200-meter dash, recording another NCAA provisional time of 21.21.

Justyn Warner followed Delaney with a second place showing in the 60-meter dash (6.74) and a fourth place finish in the 200-meter dash (21.74).

Dell Guy, a freshman from Las Vegas, Nev., stepped up again for the Frogs on Saturday, recording an NCAA provisional time of 47.06 to place third in the 400-meter dash. Clint Renfro followed in fifth spot with a time of 48.20.

Festus Kigen had a strong showing in the 3000-meter run with a time of 8:29.31 to finish fifth, while Trey Jordan highlighted action for the men from the field, finishing in third in the shot put with a throw of 17.15 meters (56 -03.25).

The women's team also won the 4x400 meter relay event, as Marquita Davis, Kishelle Paul, Virgil Hodge and Nathandra John teamed up to record a time of 3:40.94. Clint Renfro, Delwayne Delaney, Jay Cooper and Dell Guy posted a fifth place finish for the men in the event with a time of 3:18.81.

Three Frogs were honored with MWC awards at the conclusion of the meet. Virgil Hodge won the "High Point Award", while Neidra Covington and Dell Guy won "Freshman of the Year" awards for the men and women.

The end of the championships marked the conclusion of the indoor season for the TCU tricksters.

"Overall, this was a positive experience and I'm ready to get back and prepare for the outdoor season."

The Flyin' Frogs will return to the track on March 2nd, when they will travel to Fayetteville, Ark., for the Last Chance Meet.