TRACK AND FIELD Tracksters Vault To Second Straight Title The 1982 campaign for the Harding tracksters started and ended with somewhat the same feelings in mind. Returning a large number from the team that took the 1981 Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference Cham· pions hips, the 1982 season began with much optimism. "This year looks rather good for us, even though we don't know for sure what to expect from the other conference teams," head coach Ted Lloyd said before the first meet. "We have about half the points back that we scored in last year's conference meet, and we' ll be improved in the sprints and weights. We're hopeful of approaching the team strength of last year." When tKe season ended, Lloyd's speculation was right as the Bisons pulled away from a tight race to win their second consecutive AIC Track and Field Championship. The season wound down quickly as the squad prepared for the biggest meet of the season. In preparation, several winning performances through the regular season got the tracksters in tune. Opening with a win at the Arkansas College Invitational meet at Batesville kicked off the season. Other wins came in a triangular meet at UA-Monticello and the Harding University Invitational meet. A second place in the Arkansas Tech Invitational proved another successful outing and - Courtesy of Publicity Office 136/T"rack and Field boosted the Bison' s confidence. Still, the Ale proved stronger overall than was first expected. "I can't see us as the favorite," Lloyd said before the big meet, "but it should be pretty close. I think the early momentum will be important. I really feel like the team that has the hot night can win. Overall, this is the most balanced the conference has been in years." April 30 ~ame and the conference teams met on Ouachita Baptist University's campus in Arkadelphia for the conference championship meet. As Lloyd expected, the competition was keen and host team Ouachita jumped out to an early lead. But an outstanding performance by junior Tony Sitton in the 800 meter run proved the turning point in the meet with the Atlanta, Ga.. native turning the track in 1:52.86 for Harding's first top position. Sprinter Tony McCoy made his presence known when he scored an upset win in the 200 meter run, breaking the tape in 21.82 seconds. Teammate Jeff Murrah picked up more points with a third place time of 22.06 seconds. The back breaker for the Bisons came in the 5000 meter run, with three men scoring 22 points between them. Senior All-American Carter Lambert won the event in 15:16.11 while Joe O'(onor took second in 15:24.11 1. Track Team. Front row: Lambert, Woods.. Berry, Sitton, Crowe, McCohn, Alderdice, Robinson, Harris. Second row: Perry-manager, Herring, Sutton, Lents, Kinser, Biflingsley, Duff, Westover, Teague, Adams, Hubert, O'Connor, Foster, Alston-treasurer. Back row: Sharp-coach, Ekpo.. Spurlock, Shoaf, Legs, Ogburn, Nichols, L. Moore, Allen, Hines, Kelsey, Dunbar, Lloyd-coach, Boyle-coach. 2. Rod Teague steadies himself for a forceful throw. 3. Mike Spurlock shows definite style in a pole vault attempt. and Mitch McCohn placed fourth in 15:40.07. "We had a couple of disaPPointments ear· Iy in the night," Lloyd said, "but we started coming back with the 800 and 200, and the 5000 just rolled us in. The kids held their com· posure when things didn't go right and I'm real proud of the way they responded ,l! Others who scored included Bruce Baldwin and Jeff Robinson in the triple jump, Keith Herring irfboth the high jump and long jump, Rod Teague in both the discus and shot put, Bill Duff in both the high jump and 110 meter high hurdles, Tim Shoaf and Mike Spurlock in the pole vault, Dwayne Allen in the 110 meter high hurdles and lambert in the 1500 meter run. The foursome of McCoy, Allen, Newton Ekpo and Murrah placed in the 400 meter relay while Marty Sewell, Don Shumate, Brad Kinser and Sitton placed in the 1600 meter relay. At the conclusion of the season, Sitton received the most valuable track man, Jeff Westover received the most improved team member, Keith Herring received the most valuable field man and McCoy received the Bruce Gaither Memorial Inspiration Award. Lambert was selected as the recipient of the 1982 M. E. Berryhill Award as the outstanding senior athlete on campus. Lloyd was also recognized as the AIC Track and Field Coach of the Year. '-«; 1982 AIC TRACK AND FIELD RESULTS Harding University 110 Ouachita Baptist University 92 Arkansas Tech University 82 Southern Arkansas University 74 University of Central Arkansas 55 Henderson State University 41 College of the Ozarks 34 University of ArkansaS-Monticello 29 Arkansas College 8 Hendrix College 0
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