Patrick Smyth earned his first Academic All-America honor.

Irish Track and Field Send Four to NCAA Indoor Championships

March 11, 2009

NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Four Irish track and field student-athletes will represent Notre Dame this weekend at the NCAA Indoor Championships in College Station, Texas.

Senior Patrick Smyth will look to add his sixth All-America honor to the trophy case when he competes in the men’s 3000 meters. Smyth notched the 12th-best 3000-meter time in the nation at the Alex Wilson Invitational last weekend after clocking in at 7:56.66.

Junior Joanna Schultz will compete in the women’s 400-meter dash for the Irish. The all-BIG EAST honoree ran a 53.70 400 at the Alex Wilson Invitational to take a spot at the NCAAs.

Senior Mary Saxer and junior Matt Schipper will represent the Irish in the pole vault.

Saxer won the BIG EAST women’s pole vault title after hitting the NCAA automatic qualifying mark of 4.20 meters (13-7) at the league meet. That mark is tied for eighth best in the country.

Schipper won the men’s BIG EAST title after clearing 5.35 meters (17-5), good enough for 14th nationally.

The combined events kick things off Friday, beginning at 10:00 a.m., followed by the running and field events at 4:00 p.m. Events begin at noon on Saturday.

Complete results will be available at www.und.com following each day of the meet.

–ND–