Over the next three weeks, we will be posting a daily review of the top 10 sports stories, moments and accomplishments of the 2009-10 school year in Concordia athletics, as determined by Sports Information Director Tony Baldwin.  Today's entry features the No. 9 story in our countdown.  Check back each weekday for a new entry in the top 10 list.  The No. 1 story will be revealed on May 25.  The full year in review will be posted on May 31.  Agree or disagree with the selections?  Comment by sending an e-mail to Tony Baldwin, SID, at tony.baldwin@concordia.edu.

PAST STORIES:
HONORABLE MENTION SELECTIONS
NO. 10 - WOMEN'S SOCCER BREAKS CTX WINS RECORD

Excitement builds every time a new program is introduced at a college.  Last year, Concordia University Texas Athletic Director Dan Huntley announced the addition of men's and women's track and field to the intercollegiate sports lineup beginning in the 2009-10 season.

Current men's and women's cross country coach #Alex Aldaco# was tabbed to head all four programs.  Aldaco had plenty of collegiate experience with track and field, running distance events at Adams State and Texas Tech.

When the time came for the first outdoor event of the season, the Tornados were ready.  Freshman hurdler #Russell Jablonowski# stood out from the very first day.  He won the 110 meter hurdles and finished second in the triple jump at the Tornados' inaugural meet, the Incarnate Word Invitational.  The Riesel, Texas, native was named ASC Track & Field Athlete of the Week for his performance.  He would go on to win the 110 meter hurdles at the Trinity University Tiger Relays on April 2.  Overall, Jablonowski finished with two first-place and four second-place finishes during the year.

Other Tornados were successful during the program's first season.  Freshman sprinter #Quincy Braxton# posted a 22.01-second 200 meter dash time, which was the fastest NCAA Division III time in the nation, at the Tarleton State Track & Field Invitational on Mar. 11.  He would conclude the season by finishing second in the 400 meter dash at the ASC championship meet on April 24.

Freshman high jumper #Brent Reynolds# leaped past the 1.95 meter mark to finish as the runner-up at the ASC championship meet.

The women's track and field team also gained experience in their first season.  Freshman sprinter #Jessica Robinson# was named Female Track & Field Athlete of the Year at Concordia for her performance during the season. 

Sophomore distance runner #Joli Bula# made the transition from cross country to the track, running in various events, including the 800, 1500, 5000 and 10000 meters.  She finished second in the 5000 meter run at the Trinity University Tiger Relays on April 2.

With the first season behind them, the Tornados men's and women's track and field can now begin building on a successful inaugural year.