May 3, 2008

AMHERST, Mass. - The 2008 Atlantic 10 Outdoor Track & Field Championship commences Saturday at the University of Massachusetts. A red-hot corps of distance runners lead the Spiders into Amherst, fresh off sophomore Andrew Benford's back-to-back weeks of achieving NCAA Regional qualifying marks in the 5,000m and the 3,000m steeplechase.

Benford, a one-time A-10 Performer of the Week selection during the Outdoor Season, ran a time of 14:09.01 in the 5,000m at the Mt. SAC Relays on April 17 to earn his first of two NCAA Regional spots. A week later at the Penn Relays, the sophomore touched the tape in the 3,000m steeplechase in 8:59.11 to earn the NCAA mark.

The first day of the 2008 Atlantic 10 Men's & Women's Outdoor Track & Field Championships will begin at 8:45am on Saturday, May 3, with the women's heptathlon. On Sunday, May 4, the men's decathlon begins the second day of competition at 8:45am.

For the second consecutive year, live audio and video streaming of the Championship will be available for $7.95 per day. Annual subscribers to All-Access for A-10 teams participating in the Championship and XXL annual subscribers will be able to view the action at no charge. Log on to www.atlantic10.org for complete coverage of the Championship.