May 5, 2000

PISCATAWAY, NJ – University of Miami junior Aaron Moser (Bonne Terre, NJ)finished first in the 100-meters (10.87) and the long jump (22-09.75) to takea 62 point lead after five events of the decathlon at the BIG EAST Track andField Championships in Piscataway, NJ.

Moser, the two-time defending BIG EAST champion in the decathlon,recorded personal bests in the both the 100-meters, long jump and 400-metersin posting 3,813 points. Raffael Craig of Connecticut is in second with 3,751points.

“I felt very good today,” said Moser. “I was able to get off to a great startwhich gave me a lot of confidence. With the 110-hurdles and pole vaulttomorrow, two of my better events, I think I’m in pretty good shape.”

Miami senior Pedro Rodriguez (Marbella, Spain), competing in his firstdecathlon, won the 400-meters with a time of 49.01 to move into fourth-placewith 3,605 points.

Decathlon competition will conclude on Saturday with the 110-meterhurdles, discus, pole vault, javelin and 1500-meters. Saturday will also markthe start of running and field events.

The UM women are looking to win their third consecutive BIG EAST Outdoorchampionship and will be led by All-Americans Kareen Clarke (Lithonic, GA)and Natalie Watson (Coral Springs). Clarke ranks second in the nation in thetriple jump (13.53 meters) and holds the top jump in the BIG EAST thisseason. Watson ranks second in the conference in 800-meters (2:06.86) andwill anchor the Miami’s 15th-ranked 4×800-meter relay.

The Hurricane men enter the 2000 BIG EAST Championships looking toimprove on last season’s fourth-place finish. Miami returns several BIG EASTChampions from last season including Moser (decathlon), Daryl Jones(100-meters), Ed Reed (javelin) and all four members of the 1999 BIG EASTChampion 4×100-meter relay.