Feb. 19, 2000

NOTRE DAME, Ind. – The Notre Dame men’s and women’s track and field teams lead the field after one day of the 21st annual BIG EAST Indoor Track and Field Championships at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse, N.Y. The Notre Dame men are looking for their first team title after finishing as the runner-up for the past three years. The women are in pursuit of their first crown after finishing third in ’99.

Senior Marshaun West (Sikeston, Mo.) captured his first BIG EAST Indoor Championship in the men’s long jump with a leap of 7.49 meters (24’7″). West is the defending BIG EAST outdoor champion in the long jump.

Freshman Jamie Volkmer (Kearney, Neb.) finished second in the women’s pole vault with a new school record, clearing 3.45 meters (11-3 3/4). Fellow freshman Tamiesha King (Mableton, Ga.) also set a new school record in the long jump with a 6.21 meter effort (20-4 1/2) that was good enough for second place in the event.

The action continues in the Carrier Dome tomorrow at 10:30 a.m. Followers of the BIG EAST Championships can catch all the action from Day Two via the internet at TrackMeets.com, which will broadcast live coverage of every race and field event.

Below are the top five teams after day one of the championships.

Men’s Standings 1. Notre Dame 35 2. Georgetown 34 3. Connecticut 27 4. Providence 26 5. Rutgers 14

Women’s Standings 1. Notre Dame 36 2. West Virginia 32 3. Villanova 28 4. Seton Hall 25 5. Connecticut 24