April 20, 2002

Results

TROY, Ala. - Samford University senior Josh Jones was named the men's Most Outstanding Performer while the Bulldog men finished second and the women sixth at the 2002 Atlantic Sun Championship at Troy State's Memorial Stadium.

Jones' accolades came on Saturday after he won the pole vault, finished second to teammate David Henson in the 400 meter hurdles and placed fourth in the javelin. The honor gives Samford its third straight MOP award, as Derrick Moore claimed the title in 2001 and Henson in 2000. Henson won the 400 meter hurdles with a time of 54.85.

After Samford won six events in Friday's competition, the Bulldogs claimed five more on Saturday. Along with Jones and Henson, freshman sprinter John Williams won the 100 meters by posting a school and personal record of 10.51, then won the 200 meters with a time of 21.59. Junior Keeton Blakeney also won the hammer throw with a mark of 33.62 meters.

Two familiar faces captured team titles as the Troy State men and UCF women repeating as champions on a steamy afternoon at Troy State's Memorial Stadium.

The team title is the third straight for UCF and its fifth in the last six seasons, while Troy State captured its second consecutive crown and fourth in five seasons.

The TSU men overcame a 16-point, first-day deficit to finish with 242 points and pull past Samford, which led after Friday's events. The Bulldogs finished second with 199 points. Belmont finished third with 54 points, followed by Georgia State (49) and Campbell (49).

The UCF women stretched their first-day lead and finished with 108 points, ahead of second-place Belmont (101), Troy State (79), Florida Atlantic (64) and Georgia State (60). Samford finished sixth with 37 points, followed by Campbell (28), Jacksonville (22) and Jacksonville State (20).

After three record-setting performances on Friday, five more conference marks fell on Saturday, highlighted by Jones, whose jump of 15'1" in the men's pole vault bettered his previous A-Sun record of 15 feet, set in 2000.

Samford's Chad Johnson also established a new A-Sun record on the men's side over the weekend, running the 3000-meter steeplechase in 9:21.60. The effort bettered the previous best of 9:23.26 by Samford's Aaron Bishop in 2000.

MEN'S FINAL STANDINGS

1. Troy State (242)

2. Samford (199)

3. Belmont (54)

4. Georgia State (49)

4. Campbell (49)

6. UCF (12)

7. Florida Atlantic (2)

Coach of the Year: Bob Lambert, Troy State

Most Outstanding Performer: Josh Jones, Samford

Most Outstanding Freshman Performer: Michael Acree, Troy State

WOMEN's FINAL STANDINGS

1. UCF (208)

2. Belmont (101)

3. Troy State (79)

4. Florida Atlantic (64)

5. Georgia State (60)

6. Samford (37)

7. Campbell (28)

8. Jacksonville (22)

9. Jacksonville State (20)

Coach of the Year: Marcia Mansur-Wentworth, UCF

Most Outstanding Performer: Valerie Beaubrun, UCF

Most Outstanding Freshman Performer: Vivki Briggs, FAU