Jan. 28, 2016
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Event Schedule: IU RelaysNOTRE DAME, Ind. – Making the short trek from South Bend to Bloomington, the Notre Dame track and field team will participate in the Indiana University Relays scheduled for Friday and Saturday at Gladstein Fieldhouse. A field of 12 schools will compete in the event, featuring powerhouses Alabama, Cincinnati, Indiana, Kentucky, Purdue, as well as the Fighting Irish.
The meet will commence Friday at 6 p.m. (ET) with track and field events taking place in succession. Competition will resume Saturday beginning at 11 a.m. (ET).
As the Fighting Irish prepare for the contest, here are the important news and notes to get a head start on the competition:
JOINING THE RANKS
In the first weekly poll released by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA), the Notre Dame women rank 22nd in the national standings. The placement sets the Irish fourth among Atlantic Coast Conference representatives. ACC members ranked in the Top 25 include, Miami (16), Duke (17), NC State (19) Notre Dame (22) and Boston College (23). The USTFCCCA also released the first regional rankings, as the Irish women stand 10th in the Great Lakes Region with a score of 132.25.
On the men’s side, Notre Dame is situated just outside the Top 10, ranking 11th in the Great Lakes Region (95.35).
IRISH IN THE INDIVIDUAL TOP 50
Nine Notre Dame student-athletes and two relay team are registered with Top 50 times/marks in Division I competition thus far this season, according to the Track & Field Reporting System (www.TFRRS.org). To note, freshman standout Anna Rohrer ranks within the Top 5 in the 3000-meter event. A look at where the Irish stand:
Women:
Anna Rohrer – No. 4, 3,000-meter run
Annie Heffernan – No. 43, 3,000-meter run
Margaret Bamgbose – No. 12, 400-meter dash
4×400-meter relay (English, Miller, Shead, Bamgbose) – No. 23
Carly Loeffel – No. 20, Indoor Pentathlon
Men:
Harvey Smith – No. 44, 400-meter dash
Patrick O’Connell – No. 46, 800-meter run
Jacob Dumford – No. 38, 3,000-meter run
4×400-meter relay (Stimson, Smith, O’Connell, Groesch) – No. 47
Nathan Richartz – No. 14, Pole Vault
Anthony Shivers – No. 42, Weight Throw
LAST TIME OUT
The Irish enjoyed the comforts of home last weekend, hosting the Notre Dame Invitational at Loftus Sports Center. Overall, both the men and women placed fourth in their respective team competitions. The meet featured a heavy slate of competition as Michigan claimed first in both the men’s and women’s team standings.
Notre Dame posted five first-place finishes and 11 Top 3 showings. Individual winners for the Irish included, Margaret Bamgbose (400-meter dash), Harvey Smith (200-meter dash) and Nathan Richartz (pole vault). In relay action, Notre Dame claimed first in both the men’s and women’s 4×400-meter relays.
“I told the team, we have to get used to competing at a higher level,” Notre Dame head coach Alan Turner said following the meet. “They [Michigan, Michigan State, Louisville] stepped it up, and I told the team, it doesn’t get easier than this. In all the meets there are going to be quality people. These people competing are national qualifiers or all-conference performers, so you have to bring the effort each and every time.”
UP NEXT
Notre Dame will host the prestigious Meyo Invitational, Feb. 5-6.