April 20, 2009

Results

FORT WORTH, Texas – The West Texas A&M Track & Field program competed at the TCU Horned Frog Invitational, held Saturday at the Lowden Track & Field Complex in Fort Worth, Texas.

Headlining the Buffs’ efforts were the performances of shot putter Dane Hamrick, steeplechaser Thomas Harris and distance runner Jose Velazquez.

“This meet was used for addressing some of our weaknesses,” said WT head coach Darren Flowers. “Some athletes did events they normally wouldn't do. We keep improving every week and we plan to go back to a week of hard training before the championship season.”

Jose Velazquez earned a sixth-place finish in the 5,000 meters

Thomas Harris (sophomore, Amarillo, Texas) earned a fourth-place finish in the 3,000m Steeplechase, clocking a time of 10:10.11

“This was just Harris' second time to run the steeplechase and he is proving to be one of the top competitors in the conference,” Flowers added. “He set a personal best and continues to improve his form over the barriers and water jump.”

Velazquez (senior, Hereford, Texas) finished sixth, with a time of 15:54.61, in a strong 5,000 meter field.

“Jose ran the best race I have ever seen him run,” said Flowers. “He ran consistent 75-76 second 400-meter splits and ran his best 5k to date. He bested his time of a week ago by about 20 seconds. By the 800-meter mark, he was sitting around 15th place and moved up throughout the race to capture sixth.”

Dane Hamrick (freshman, Amarillo, Texas) placed second in the shot put with an effort of 48-10.75.

“Dane is really looking good right now,” said Flowers. “His form is getting better and better each week and I think it is just a matter of time before he has a really big throw. He has worked hard in the weight room with Coach (Ryan) Mahoney and we will start backing off the weights the next couple weeks in order to get some big results in the ring."

The Buffs next competition will be April 30, when they compete in the ACU-Oliver Jackson Open, in Abilene, Texas.