Jan. 26, 2001
The University of Notre Dame men’s track and field team won its second meet of the year with a 94-63 victory over Michigan State Friday, Jan. 26, in the Loftus Sports Center. Notre Dame is now undefeated on the year after winning the indoor opening season meet over Ball State and Western Michigan on Jan. 19.
Nick Setta (Lockport, Ill.) started the Irish track events off on the right foot with an impressive victory in the 500 meter run. Setta sat in fifth place entering the final 200 meters of the race, then flew by the competition to take first place in 1:04.97.
Tom Gilbert (Rock Falls, Ill.) stepped into the blocks in the next event, the 60 meter dash, and won his first event of the night in 6.99. Gilbert is proving to be one of the top performers for the Irish this season. After posting two event victories last week, Gilbert added three more versus the Spartans. After winning the 60 meters, Gilbert placed first in the long jump (23-5 1/4) and also won the 200 meters (21.96).
Cross country All-American Pat Conway (Springfield, Va.) took first place in the mile run, with a personal-best time 4:11.52. Continuing the Irish team success, sprinter Terry Wray (Brandon, Miss.) won the 400 meters in 48.85. Wray also finished second to his teammate Gilbert in the 200 meters.
Notre Dame also placed well in the field events, taking first, second, third and fourth place in the triple jump. Quill Redwine (San Antonio, Texas) won the event for the Irish and also added a first place effort in the high jump (6-10 3/4). Brian Thornburg (Titusville, Fla.) flashed his potential in the weight throw, heaving a personal-best mark of 54-11 1/2.
Also notable for the Irish team is the return of All-American Ryan Shay (Central Lake, Mich.) in the distance events. Shay breezed by the field in the 3,000 meters, taking first place and posting a personal-best time of 8:19.75.
Next up for the Irish will be the Meyo Invitational, one of the top meets in the country during the indoor season. The meet is set for Friday, Feb. 2, in the Loftus Sports Complex. Competition will continue into Saturday, Feb. 3.