May 1, 2009

Women Look to Defend, While Men Seek to Surpass UWM at League Championship

    Youngstown -- The 2009 Horizon League Outdoor Championships are set to get out of the starting blocks on Friday in Lisle, Ill., and both Youngstown State track and field squads will have the same thing on their mind; a Horizon League Championship.

     The women swept the indoor and outdoor titles a year ago, but were dethroned by Milwaukee in March during the indoor circuit.  The men will look to overcome Milwaukee and win their first title since 2003, as the Panthers have claimed five consecutive men's titles.

    Headlining the women's squad is sophomore Breanne Romeo and junior Alisha Anthony, who were named Women's Newcomers of the Year a season ago. Last season, Romeo won the 400, finished sixth in the 200m and ran the first leg of YSU's champion 4x400m-relay. Anthony claimed the top-spot in the triple jump and finished second in the long jump .

    Entering the league meet, Anthony ranks first on the Horizon League performance in the long and triple jump. Other who top the list include sophomore Danielle Curry in the shot put and discus, junior Alexis Hall in the hammer throw and sophomore Lyndsie Hall in the javelin.

    On the men's side, juniors Harold Jones and Aaron Merrill will try and defend their individual titles from a year ago. Jones was victorious in the 800m, while Merrill won the shot put. Last season, sophomore Jerrill Hall was named the Men's Field Newcomer of the Year after placing second in the high jump and sixth in the long jump.

    Penguins who lead the Horizon League Performance list entering the meet include Hall in the 110m hurdles, senior Michael Perri in the 400m hurdles, senior Antonio Quarterman in the triple jump, Merrill in the shot put and senior Joe Lahmon in the hammer throw. The men's squad also has the best league 4x800m relay time.

    Competition is slated to begin on Friday at 3 p.m. and the three-day event will wrap up with awards on Sunday evening.