Feb. 12, 2015
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – The University of Notre Dame track & field program will look to build off a weekend of impressive performances at last weekend’s Meyo Invitational when it travels to Geneva, Ohio, for the SPIRE DI Invitational on Friday and Saturday.
The Irish will face competition from schools across the Midwest, East Coast and Canada, with Notre Dame’s focus mostly on improving marks for sprinters and jumpers. Just 15 women and 14 men will make the trip for the Irish.
“It’s going to be a tough meet again,” head coach Alan Turner said. “It’s not going to be as big as the Meyo (Invitational), but the quality’s still there.”
Specifically, Turner is looking for breakout performances for freshman Parker English and senior Jade Barber. English ran a 54-second split in the 4×400-meter relay at the Meyo Invitational, which Turner would like to see duplicated in the open 400. Barber, who holds the school record in the 60-meter hurdles at 8.10 seconds, has been running in the 8.20-8.45 range this season, and Turner would like to see her improve upon those marks.
On the men’s side, Turner is looking for improvement from sprinters in the open 400 meters, especially those who have participated in the 4×400-meter relay team, including Harvey Smith, John Rutkowski, Eric Ways and Oye Eyeguokan. The Irish own the top 4×400 meter time in the Atlantic Coast Conference, but only Chris Giesting ranks among the top racers in the 400 meters in the conference (1st, 45.98).
“We’re definitely progressing as I would like,” Turner said. “It could always be better, but they’re progressing nicely.”
Meanwhile, juniors Molly Seidel and Michael Clevenger will make a trip to Ames, Iowa, for the Iowa State Classic. The pair will race in their respective 5,000-meter races, looking to improve their times among a pair of fast fields. Seidel is currently in possession of the nation’s 11th-fastest collegiate 5K time (16:10.95, Meyo Invitational), while Clevenger has yet to race the distance this season.
For the latest Irish track & field news, be sure to follow the team on Twitter, @NDXCTF, and like Notre Dame Cross Country/Track & Field on Facebook.
SPIRE DI Invitational Participants
Women (15)
Margaret Bamgbose, Jade Barber, Allison Bartoszewicz, Emily Carson, Parker English, Amber Lalla, Karen Lesiewicz, Lena Madison, Payton Miller, Emily Morris, Ihuoma Nwaogwugwu, Kayla Polcari, Rachel Rhodes, Michelle Rotondo, Jordan Shead
Men (14)
Billy Dolan, Oye Eyeguokan, Alex Groesch, Nick Hauser, Hunter Holton, Dominick Padovano, Christopher Quinn, Tommy Rhodes, Nate Richartz, David Schipper, Anthony Shivers, Harvey Smith, Drake Stimson, Eric Ways
By Joanne Norell, Media Relations Assistant
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