EUGENE, OR -- Four Sam Houston State student-athletes plus one of the Bearkats' assistant coaches posted strong performances at the USA Track and Field National Championships June 26-28.
Jon Tipton, a four-year letterman from Wichita Falls, missed the finals in the discus by 10 inches, placing ninth with a throw of 192 feet, 11 inches.
Lane Dennis, a four-year letterman from Huntsville, reached the semi-finals of the 400 meter hurdles, placing 13th with a time of 51.42 seconds.
Darryl Hayes, sophomore from Lancaster, and Michael Courtney, four-year letterman from El Paso, placed 19th and 24th respectively in the 400 meter dash. Hayes posted a time of 46.95 seconds while Courtney was clocked in 47.06.
Andy Fryman, throws coach for the Bearkats, placed 17th in the hammer with a throw of 213 feet, 11 inches.
"Having four student-athletes earn berths at USA Nationals was a huge accomplishment for our program at Sam Houston State," head track and field coach Dave Self said.
Sam Houston State has had only one other athlete qualify for USA Nationals in the past.
Tipton, Dennis, Hayes and Courtney all earned All-Southland Conference honors during the 2009 season. The four also earned berths in the NCAA championship meet at Fayetteville, AR, the final college meet of the year.
