Feb. 28, 2003

Results

HOUSTON - Highlighted by a first-place finish in the men's distance medley relay, the Charlotte 49ers track and field teams have concluded their first day of competition at the Conference USA Indoor Championships. The men enter Saturday, the final day of competition, tied with TCU for fifth place with 18.5 points. The women are 10th with 5.5 points.

The men enjoyed their greatest success in the final event of the day, the DMR. Josh Baker, Josh Sturm, Riaan Lourens and Russell Slade teamed up to win the event for the 49ers. Their time of 10:00.93 was a school record. Abe Morlu also had a strong showing on day one, advancing to the finals in the 60- and 200-meter dashes. Reagan Barry and Brad Bailey will enter Saturday in second and fourth place, respectively, in the heptathlon.

Michelle Dixon led the women on the first day of the championships. She advanced to the finals of the 60-meter dash with a school-time of 7.54 seconds. Dixon also advanced to the finals in the 200, joining teammate Aisha Thomas. She had a time of 25.14, while Thomas turned in a 25.19 mark. Thomas is also entered in the finals for the 400 after running a 57.33 in the prelims.