MOBILE, Ala. - The University of South Alabama track and field team will return to competition after a two-week hiatus when it heads to Denton, Texas for the Sun Belt Conference Outdoor Championships.

"The team has shown steady progress throughout the season and we're looking forward to some solid performances at conference," USA head track and field coach Paul Brueske said.

Highlighting the women's team is last week's SBC Female Track Athlete of the Week, Tori Lawson. The freshman earned the recognition after providing the Jags with its only victory of the day at the Coach "O" Invitational at Troy, Ala., Saturday, April 24. Lawson placed first in the 3,000-meter steeplechase with a time of 11:30.14, marking her first collegiate competition in the event. Her finish broke a school record and claimed the fourth spot in the SBC rankings in the event.

Sophomores Latifah Johnson and Lindsay Schwartz also return to competition after bringing home two second-place finishes at the Troy meet. Johnson broke her own school record in the hammer throw with a 56.23m/184-5.75 toss, while Schwartz posted a 1.63m/5-04.00 leap in the high jump. Schwartz also tossed in a third place finish in the 400-meter hurdles (1:06.00).

Freshman Noelle Jones will also be competing after landing third in the javelin with a mark of 38.02m/124-08.75.

All-conference performers from last season Zac Edwards, Glen Odom, and Rich Schmitz re

Sophomore Joey Torres returns after leading the men at Troy with a second-place finish in the hammer throw. Torres tossed for a 58.99m/193-06.25 mark to break teammate Stephen Nobles' school record and climb to the top of he SBC rankings in the event.

Junior Javin Dodd returns after earning second in the long jump with a leap of 7.23m/23-08.50. Freshman Scott Lasiter will also be competing after finishing second in the 1,500 meters with a time of 4:01.30.

All-conference performers from last season Zac Edwards, Glen Odom, and Rich Schmitz will also be competing.

The three-day meet begins Friday, May 7 with field events, and runs through Sunday, May 9.

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com.  Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).