April 15, 2016

Meet Information Get Acrobat Reader

By Lizzie Mikes

NOTRE DAME, Ind. – The University of Notre Dame track & field program heads south once more this weekend, destined for the University of Louisville. The Irish join forces with Louisville and Pittsburgh to race against Indiana, Michigan State and Purdue in the Louisville Invitational, also known as the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. The meet runs all day Saturday, and will be held at Cardinal Park.

Kaila Barber is entered in the 100m hurdles this weekend.

“All of the schools competing this weekend have well-rounded, complete track & field programs,” head coach Alan Turner said. “All of the teams will give us strong competition across the board in most events. Louisville is strong in the throws and jumps events, while Purdue is very strong in women’s sprints, and Michigan State and Indiana have been good in the mid-distance and distance events. Pitt is a little thin in a few event groups, but this should be a good competitive meet.”

A large portion of the Irish team is making the trip Saturday, with 23 women’s and 17 men’s student-athletes donning the blue & gold. Notable top performers include Margaret Bamgbose, Kaila Barber, Indi Jackson and Carly Loeffel for the women, and Matt Birzer, Anthony Shivers and Brent Swanberg for the men.

“Kaila will be back competing in the 100 hurdles; she currently has the third-fastest time in the NCAA, and we hope she can set a personal best and run under 13 seconds this weekend,” Turner commented. “Jessica Harris in entered in the 800m, along with Jamie Marvil, Samantha Murray and Stephanie Knight. I think the women’s 800 group should run very well. I’m also interested in Ashlyn Rambo, and how she will perform in the 3000m steeplechase. In addition, Indi Jackson in shot put, Margaret Bamgbose in the 200m and Matt Birzer in the high jump should all perform pretty well this weekend.”

The meet kicks off at noon Saturday, with the men’s 110m hurdles prelim races. The last event of the day is scheduled at 5:45 p.m., in the men’s 4x400m relay. Live stats will be available through gocards.com, with a full recap to follow on und.com. For up-to-the-minute action, follow the team’s social media accounts on twitter (@NDXCTF) and Facebook (Notre Dame Cross Country/Track & Field).

— ND —

Lizzie Mikes serves as Media Services Coordinator at the University of Notre Dame. A 2013 graduate of Johnson & Wales University, she oversees credential management and is the athletic communications director for Fighting Irish men’s and women’s swimming and diving and track and field. She has assisted with numerous NCAA postseason events hosted by Notre Dame, and is heavily involved in the day-to-day tasks of the athletic communications office.