ROCK HILL, S.C. – The Liberty men and the Coastal women lead after the first day of the 2008 New Balance Big South Outdoor Track & Field Championships.  The Flames posted a team score of 39 points, while the Lady Chanticleers posted 34 points at Winthrop’s Irwin Belk Track on Thursday afternoon.

In the first final of the day, Liberty’s Jon Hart took first place with a meet and facility record throw of 66.20 meters in the hammer throw.  Hart is currently ninth in the country in the event.  In second was Timothy Morse with a toss of 61.57 meters.  Galen Jones took home third place with a mark of 60.81 meters.

In the women’s long jump, Radford’s Shemelia Brandon jumped her way into first place with a leap of 5.17 meters.  Liberty’s Charlene Hibbert finished second with a jump of 5.69 meters.  Sierrah Oates of Coastal Carolina rounded out the list of All-Conference winners with a jump of 5.65 meters.

Charleston Southern posted two All-Conference honorees in the women’s hammer throw.  Jocelyn Davis finished first for the Bucs as she tossed the hammer 49.67 meters.  Brittany Connor of Coastal came in second with a throw of 47.42 meters.  Marie Doan also earned All-League honors for the Bucs with a third place mark of 42.56 meters.

The men’s long jump finished with Keith Graham of Coastal Carolina on top with a leap of 7.14 meters.  Liberty’s Matt Parker finished second with a jump of 6.97 meters.  Kishaun English took home third with a jump of 6.95 meters.

In the women’s 10K, Diana Jepchirchir Coastal Carolina finished first with a Belk Track record of 35:24.  Carol Jefferson of Liberty took home the silver with a time of 35:25.  Dacia Bushman of Liberty finished third with a time of 36:56.

Tamas Kovacs of High Point won the men’s 10,000 with a time of 30:44.  In second was Josh Edmonds of Liberty who crossed the line in 30:52.  Winthrop’s Trevor Beesley closed out the All-Big South honorees with a time of 30:54.

Liberty’s Daniel Newell sits atop the decathlon with 3,754 points halfway through the event.  Jack Hutchinson of Coastal Carolina is currently second with 3,362 points.  Chanticleer Steve Harmon sits in third with 3,082 points.

Through four events in the heptathlon, Coastal Carolina’s Elisha Tegeder is leading the way with 2,658 points.  Liberty’s Krystle Matthews racked up 2,479 points, good for second place.  Lady Flame Jen Healey rounds out the top three with 2,348 points.

Day two of the 2008 New Balance Big South Outdoor Track & Field Championship will start on Friday, April 19 at 10:30am.