Posted by Scott Cummings - Fri, May 1, 2009 - [ Women's Outdoor Track and Field ] - Viewed 1654 times
McKendree won its second straight AMC outdoor championships
McKendree won its second straight AMC outdoor championships
(LEBANON, Ill., May 2)--For the second consecutive year, the McKendree University men's and women's track and field teams have captured top honors in the American Midwest Conference.


The Bearcat programs pulled away on the final day of competition to win the 2009 AMC Outdoor Track and Field Championships at Leemon Field. Both teams finished well ahead of runner-up Missouri Baptist University for team honors. The McKendree men outdistanced Missouri Baptist, 202-116, while the Bearcat women registered a 47-point margin of victory, 240-193.

Individually, McKendree won nine different events in the two-day meet. Senior Steve Hammond had a strong meet, winning three different events. Hammond won titles in the shot put (15.10 meters), discus (49.99 meters) and the javelin (43.39 meters). Junior Jordan Perry won championships in the 100-meter dash (10.92 seconds) and 400-meter dash (48.81 seconds), as did freshman Carison Kemei, who finished first in the 1,500-meter run (4:01.00) and the 5,000-meter run (14:20.80).

In women's action, McKendree took home titles in seven events. Junior Sasha Joyce had the best individual meet of any Bearcat team member as she won four events. Joyce finished first in the 400-meter dash (59.02 seconds), 100-meter hurdles (15.02 seconds), the 400-meter hurdles (1:04.58) and the high jump (1,48 meters).


Neal West, who is in his second season at McKendree, has been selected as the AMC Coach of the Year for both the men's and women's programs. West helped guide the Bearcats to AMC championships during the inaugural meet in 2008.

To view complete results, please click here.