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Sports

Back in the groove

Men's track wins C-USA title after falling short in ‘06

by LOUIE VERA
The Daily Cougar

After having its chance at four consecutive Conference USA indoor championships snapped by Texas-El Paso last season, the UH men's track and field team went looking for revenge at the 2007 championship meet at Yeoman Field House on Feb. 24. 

Failure wasn't an option this time, and the Cougars were more than prepared to pound their point home. Most importantly, they wanted to leave no doubts as to which team was the best in C-USA.

After winning the meet easily with 186 points (56 ahead of UTEP) to clinch their fourth indoor title in five years, the Cougars can now consider that mission accomplished. All that's left now is for the team to sit back and revel in its success.

"It was pretty rewarding for us (after) losing the outdoor meet by (almost) four points and the indoor meet by 11 (last season)," UH head coach Leroy Burrell said. "We felt we were good enough to win both of those, but I'm really proud of our guys because we got a lot of outstanding contributions from other guys who have been around a couple of years, and then the freshman really helped out quite a bit."

Last year's loss left a bitter taste in the mouths of team members, so winning the title this year made it that much sweeter for the Cougars.

"It made us feel good," senior sprinter Carey LaCour said. "We lost last year and were kind of mad, so we came back this year with the mindset that we had to win. (We knew) if everyone was doing well in the division races, we could win conference."

The Cougars have been a dominant force in C-USA during Burrell's tenure. However, this year's near flawless finish notwithstanding, Burrell is still striving for improvement.

"I felt that we could score somewhere around 170 points," Burrell said. "I thought that it would take about that much to get the job done. 

"At the same time, we did give up a couple of points (where) I felt that we should have scored. (Still), we have a really good all around team."

The Cougars not only ran away with the men's indoor title but added icing on the cake with a few extra honors. Burrell received his sixth men's coach of the year honor, and LaMarcus Hunter was named Male Freshman of the Year after winning the 60-meter hurdles.

"I was very happy to (win) freshman of the year," Hunter said. "I was kind of surprised to get it, but I was very happy about the championship as well. We're going to try to do it again in outdoor."

The Cougars racked up 24 points in the sweep of the 60-meter run in the final day of competition. LaCour took the gold, junior Tremaine Smith placed second and senior Vincent Marshall followed. 

"We have some good athletes that I train with," LaCour said. "We train real good and we know we're some of the top athletes in the nation."

LaCour had tweaked his back a few weeks prior to the conference race and admitted he was shaky heading into the 60-meter run. 

"I was a little skeptical about how I was going to do," LaCour said. "So I was a little nervous for once. I usually don't get nervous."

The women's team, which was the defending C-USA champion, fell short. The Cougars finished third with 91 points but had some admirable performances.

Senior Ebonie Floyd won the gold medal in the 200 meters, and took the bronze in the 60-meter run. She also helped the Cougars place second in the 4x400 meter relay.

Floyd will represent the Cougars in the 60 and 200-meter races at this weekend's NCAA Indoor Championships in Fayetteville, Ark.

Junior Seun Adigun took home the gold in the 60-meter hurdles. Sophomore LeeA'ndrea Robinson took the silver medal. Quin'shundolyn McPherson was named the Female Freshman of the Year at the meet's conclusion.

The Cougars hope their recent success carries over into the outdoor season, which is just around the corner.

"Our team is really strong," freshman pole vaulter Alex Bentley said. "We're all good friends -- everybody is kind of connected better this year than they have in the past. This team is going to be solid, and I think we're going to take the outdoor (conference championship), too."

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