Echols-Luper Leaps to Big 12 Title
2/27/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Indoor Track
Friday Results
| Saturday Heat Sheets | 
Photo Gallery
AMES, Iowa - Sophomore Cameron Echols-Luper claimed the men's long jump title on the first day of the Big 12 Track & Field Indoor Championships in Ames.
On his second attempt of the finals, Echols-Luper achieved a mark of 7.61m (24-11.75) to win the Big 12 Championship on Friday in Ames.
"Cam winning the long jump was the highlight of the day," TCU director of track & field Darryl Anderson said. "He's the Big 12 Champion. I feel very confident that he can score at the national meet."
It's the first men's indoor long jump conference title since 2004.
Coming into today, Echols-Luper was ranked third in the Big 12 and 12th in the nation in the event.
Senior Ramone Bailey also earned the Horned Frogs points by finishing sixth in the event at 7.31m (23-11.75). Echols-Luper and Bailey combined for 13 points for the men's team.
Also scoring points for the men was junior Adam Damadzic, who posted a personal-best in the men's weight throw. His mark of 18.07m (59-3.50) surpassed his previous high set earlier this season in Albuquerque on Jan. 31.
"Ramone Bailey got sixth in the long jump and we had Adam Damadzic also get sixth place in the weight throw, so I was pleased with that." Anderson added. "Any time you can come into this environment and score is a very good thing."
The Horned Frogs will have three representatives in the men's 60 meters finals on Saturday after a stellar performance in the prelims. Junior Ronnie Baker won his individual heat behind a time of 6.66 seconds. Sophomores Kolby Listenbee (6.72) and Raymond Bozmans (6.75) also qualified, giving TCU the most participants of any school in tomorrow's finals.
"We had three guys advance to the 60 meter final, which we expected," Anderson said. "It's a very tough field. A few of these guys are going to be in the national finals. We got three in tonight and I feel like we're going to compete really well tomorrow."
Listenbee will also compete in the finals of the men's 200 meters after his and junior Sam Watts' performance on Friday. Watts won his individual heat with a time of 21.12 and Listenbee finished with the fourth-best overall time among the eight finalists at 21.11.
Junior Brianna McGhee advanced to women's 60 hurdles finals on Saturday after finishing third in her heat with a time of 8.39 seconds. The mark is a personal-best for the Omaha, Nebraska, native.
"On the women's side, we just have to get better," Anderson said. "There's no hidden agenda and we have our work cut out for us as we move forward."
Action resumes Saturday, Feb. 28, at noon from the Lied Recreation-Athletic Facility in Ames, Iowa.
Players Mentioned
