June 24, 2009

LUBBOCK, Texas - The Texas Tech track program is sending seven of its students-athletes to the 2009 USA Track & Field Outdoor Championships taking place at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore., on June 25-28.

The student-athletes will be vying for a spot on Team USA for the 2009 IAAF World Championships being held in Berlin, Germany, this August. The group Tech is sending includes six All-Americans.

Sophomore Gil Roberts has one of the best chances to make the squad. His time of 44.86 in the 400M ranks him fourth in the nation behind Olympians LaShawn Merrit, David Neville and Baylor runner LeJerald Betters. The Indoor and Outdoor Big 12 Champion in the 400M was a 2009 Indoor All-American in the 400M and 4x400M relay.

Two-time All-American Omo Osaghae will be competing for the first time since the NCAA Midwest Regional. The junior has a season-best time of 13.42 and currently ranks 13th among the entries in the 110M hurdles.

All-American Harrison Benjamin will be throwing the shot put. His school-record throw of 64'-3.75" ranks him 14th among the competitors.

Brandon Tucker will be competing for a spot on the USA Junior National team in the 110M hurdles. Tucker had the fastest time in the 110M hurdles coming out of high school last year and had a season-best time of 13.91 at the collegiate height of 42 inches. The hurdles for the USA Junior National meet will be at 39 inches.

Three Lady Raiders will be competing in throwing events over the four days of the USA Outdoor Championships.

The 2009 NCAA discus champion, D'Andra Carter, will be competing in a very tough field. The senior has a season-best throw of 187'-02". The school-record holder in the discus has the 10th-best throw going into the competition.

Senior Patience Knight will be competing in the shot put. The four-time Big 12 Champion in the shot put has a career-best throw of 57'-11" and is ranked 13th with a throw of 54'-11.25".

The USA Outdoor Championships will be aired on Fri., June 26 on ESPN from 8-10 p.m. EST, and on Sat., June 27 from 7:30-9:30 p.m. EST, on ESPN as well. Sun., June 28 it will be shown on NBC from 4-6 p.m. EST.