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Texas Men, Texas Tech Women Lead After Day Two

CHAMPIONSHIP CENTRAL

The Texas men racked up a two-day total of 71 points to take the top spot at the 2015 Big 12 Outdoor Track & Field Championships, while Texas Tech is now alone atop the women’s standings with 50 total points heading into the final day of competition.

It’s setting up what should prove to be a thrilling Sunday in the team race, with the Kansas State women sitting in second place with 48 points, just two behind Texas Tech. Kansas is also threatening with 44.5 points to put themselves in third place.

On the men’s side, the field will have ground to make up on Texas, with Texas Tech in second place with 50.75 points, followed by Oklahoma with 49.

In a loaded men’s high jump field, three competitors topped out at 2.24m (7-04.25), with Texas Tech’s JaCorian Duffield claiming the title after he cleared the jump on his first attempt. Red Raider teammate Bradley Adkins took second, followed by Christoff Bryan of K-State.

The Wildcats picked up 10 more team points when Ifeanyichukwu Otuonye took home the long jump title, soaring 7.69m (25-02.75) to claim the Big 12 crown. TCU senior Ramone Bailey took second with a mark of 7.65m (25-01.25).

Big 12 Championship record holder Ryan Crouser of Texas defended his shot put title with a launch of 20.52m (67-04.00) to get the Longhorns in the win column on Saturday. Crouser was followed by Kole Weldon of Texas Tech, who claimed second with a mark of 19.10 (62-08.00).

On the women’s side, Dani Winters of K-State launched a throw of 17.75m (58-03.00) on her final attempt of the day to claim the Big 12 shot put title and pick up 10 team points. Winters just edged out Iowa State’s Christina Hillman, who posted a throw of 17.45 m to take second place.

In the long jump finals, Kansas junior Sydney Conley leapt 6.48m (21-03.25) in the final field event of the day. Conley edged out Big 12 Indoor champion Akela Jones of K-State, who took second with a jump of 6.43m (21-01.25).

Texas Tech’s Natalie Thompson was in second place in the heptathlon with two events remaining, but took a narrow four point lead by winning the javelin throw with a launch of 43.67m. The junior then slammed the door shut with a win in the 800 meter race in 2:17.39.

The final day of the 2015 Big 12 Outdoor Track & Field Championships begins Sunday at 12 p.m. CT with the women’s high jump. Track finals get underway at 3:00 p.m. with the 4x100m women’s relay and conclude with the men’s 4x400m relay, scheduled for 7:30 p.m.