Patrick Smyth holds one of the nation's top 10,000 meter times.

Irish Track and Field Open Outdoor Season at Stanford, Arizona State

March 26, 2009

NOTRE DAME, Ind. – The Notre Dame track and field teams are hoping to carry over their indoor successes as they open the 2009 outdoor season at the Stanford Invitational and Arizona State Invitational this weekend.

The Irish distance runners will head to California for the two-day Stanford Invitational. Running events begin at 11:00 a.m. (PDT) on Friday and 9:00 a.m. on Saturday.

The rest of the Notre Dame squads will compete at the Arizona State Invitational. Friday’s competition will feature the hammer throw, beginning at 1:00 p.m. (PDT). On Saturday, field events begin at 10:00 a.m., followed by running events at 5:00 p.m.

Notre Dame’s most recent indoor track All-Americans – Patrick Smyth (men’s 5,000 meters), Joanna Schultz (women’s 400 meters) and Mary Saxer (women’s pole vault) – will all be competing for the outdoor squads this weekend.

A year ago, the Irish men’s team won the 2008 BIG EAST Outdoor Championship, while the women finished third.

Complete results from both meets will be available at www.und.com.

–ND–