March 8, 2003
The 2003 Alex Wilson Invitational concluded on Saturday afternoon in the Loftus Sports Center and Notre Dame waited until the final event to provide the highlight of the day. The women’s 4×440-yard relay team finished second to Miami’s meet and track record 3:34.57, but came through with their own NCAA qualification time. The team of sophomore Tiffany Gunn, sophomore Ayesha Boyd, junior Kristen Dodd and senior Kymia Love crossed the line in 3:36.51 – which is under the automatic qualifying time for the 4×400-meter relay at the NCAA meet (even without the 3:35.31 yards-to-meters conversion).
The other highlight for Notre Dame on Saturday came in the women’s mile. Sophomore Lauren King, the 2003 BIG EAST indoor mile champion, improved her season-best time to finish second in 4:38.34 – just .03 behind Villanova’s Marina Muncan. Freshman Molly Huddle took fifth place in 4:42.60. Both Irish runners automatically qualify for the NCAA Championship mile run.
Additional solid performances on Saturday by Irish athletes included Vinnie Ambrico winning section one of the mile run (4:11.67), Emily Loomis taking second in the high jump (1.75m) and Colin Quinn winning the first section of the 800 meters (1:53.06).
The NCAA Championship in Fayetteville, Ark., is just six days away for the Irish athletes that have qualified.
Senior Luke Watson will be there after having qualified in the mile, 3,000 meters and the distance medley relay. It has yet to be determined which event he will compete in.
Watson’s DMR teammates, freshman Ryan Postel, freshman Thomas Chamney and sophomore Eric Morrison will make the trip. Morrison might also compete in the mile run.
Senior Tameisha King will be in the women’s long jump competition.
Sophomore Lauren King has qualified in the mile run and the 3,000 meters.
Freshman Molly Huddle also has qualified in the mile run and the 3,000 meters.
Gunn, Dodd, Boyd and Love will be there in the 4×400-meter relay.
Selim Nurudeen is hoping that his 7.83 team record 60-meter hurdle will get him in the field. In the end, Notre Dame could have 12 competitors at next week’s national championship meet.