FAIRFAX, Va. – Rhode Island’s men’s team and the George Mason women’s team lead following the first day of competition at the 2015 Atlantic 10 Outdoor Track & Field Championships being held at George Mason Stadium.

Rhode Island, in search of its third consecutive A-10 Outdoor title, concluded Day One with 62.5 points, after capturing first and third in the hammer throw, first in the pole vault, and first and third in the javelin. Earning Gold for the Rams was Mahilk Handley (hammer throw), James Strawderman (pole vault) and Nick Danner (javelin).

The Rams currently have a 25 point lead over second place George Mason (37.5). Duquesne is third on the men’s side with 32 points and is followed by Massachusetts (23.5) and Davidson (20) in the top five. Rounding out the rest of the standings are Fordham (18.5), VCU (15), Saint Joseph’s (13), La Salle (5), Saint Louis (4) and George Washington (3).

Also earning Gold on the day was Davidson’s Whitner Chase (10,000 meters) and Duquesne’s Evan Gomez (3,000 meter steeplechase) and Ian Welch (long jump).

On the women’s side, George Mason scored a total of 43 points in the six women’s events scored to take the lead after Day One. The Patriots, the defending A-10 Outdoor Champions, earned gold in the javelin throw (Amanda Denger) and the pole vault (Lindsay Horton) along with a silver in 10,000 meters (Bethany Sachtleben).

Dayton is currently second with 38 points after taking three of the top four sports in the hammer throw and third in the pole vault. Dayton’s Ally Weeman and Erin Reese captured gold and silver in the hammer, respectively, for the Flyers.  

Massachusetts is currently third in the standings with 31.5 points. Following George Mason, Dayton and Massachusetts in the standings are Duquesne (30), Rhode Island (21), Saint Louis (16.5), Richmond (15), VCU (12), Davidson (10), Fordham (6), Saint Joseph’s (5) and George Washington and La Salle each with three points.

Also earning gold medals on Saturday was Davidson’s Erin Osment (10,000 meters), Duquesne’s Danica Snyder (3,000 meter steeplechase) and Richmond’s Janel Francis (long jump).

The final day of competition will be Sunday. Events begin at 8:45 AM with the Men’s Decathlon 110 meter hurdles.