LAST CHANCE QUALIFIERS, OUTDOOR OPENER SET FOR TRACK AND FIELD

EDINBURG, TX-Two members of The University of Texas-Pan American track and field team will continue their 2003 indoor season, while the rest of the team will begin outdoor competition this weekend.

Sophomore Westly Keating (Pharr, TX/PSJA North HS/Texas) and junior Amy Moses (Edinburg, TX/Edinburg North HS) will compete at one or two last chance meets in an attempt to qualify for next weekend's NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships, while the Broncs and Lady Broncs open their outdoor season at the Texas A&M-Kingsville's Javelina Relays.

Keating and Moses will compete Friday at the Alex Wilson Invitational at Notre Dame's Loftus Sports Center. Moses could compete again Saturday at Iowa State's Cyclone National Track and Field Qualifier, at the Lied Recreation Facility.

Moses is competing in the 20 pound weight throw, and currently holds the UTPA record with a toss of 60 feet, four inches. "Amy needs to throw around 64 feet, and if she does that, she should qualify," said UTPA Head Coach Ricky Vaughn. "There are seven or eight people on the provisional qualifying list who are all battling, so whoever wins is going to make it. The level of competition will be extremely high."

Keating, who already holds UTPA's school record at 3000 meters (8:25.62), will be running 5000 meters for the first time this season. "Westly needs to run around 14 (minutes) flat," said Vaughn. "The field is extremely tough, and it's going to be one of those races where, if you're not there, you'll be on the outside looking in. It should be a very fast race. There are seven or eight runners on the bubble who will be competing."

The Broncs and Lady Broncs will compete at the Javelina Relays, which will also feature Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, Angelo State, Incarnate Word, Texas Lutheran, and Trinity as well as host Texas A&M-Kingsville. Field events will start at 12 noon, with the final event, the 5000 meter run, scheduled for 6:15 p.m.

"UT San Antonio moved their meet (the Whataburger Invitational) back a week, and that left us too long a gap until our first meet," said Vaughn. "We'll get a chance to get the rust off, and get some competition under our belt. We'll be able to compare the results with where we were at this time last year. I think we'll have some good marks."

If Moses and Keating qualify, they will compete next weekend at the NCAAs at Arkansas. Everyone will return to action at the Whataburger Invitational March 21st and 22nd.

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