Feb. 5, 2008
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – This weekend the Notre Dame Loftus Sports Center will be the place of excitement as the Irish men’s and women’s track and field teams play host to the 21st annual Meyo Invitational. The two-day competition is set to begin Friday, Feb. 9 at 5 p.m., with the conclusion of the meet on Saturday, Feb. 10 with running events set for a 9:30 a.m. start.
The Meyo Invitational continues to be one of the premiere collegiate track and field meets in the nation. Featured in the meet will be the `Meyo Mile’ and for the first time, the Ryan Shay 3000-meter run, in honor of former Notre Dame standout, Ryan Shay.
Coming into the meet, the Irish track and field teams hold top times and distances in not only the BIG EAST, but also the nation. Three Irish athletes have hit NCAA provisional qualifying marks, one on the men’s squad and two on the women’s.
On the men’s side, Kurt Benninger has provisionally qualified in the mile. Two weeks ago at the Notre Dame Invitational, Benninger wowed the crowd with a 4:02.90 mile time. Just a week ago it was Anna Weber earning top distances in both the shot put and the weight throw. It was her throw in the weight throw that put her way over the provisional mark of 61-6 1/4 when she tossed 63-7 1/2.
Alyissa Hasan also had a top weekend last week when she took the title at the Akron Open in the pentathlon. Hasan boasted a score of 3939 to not only win the event, but also lead the BIG EAST. Although not competing in a heptathlon this weekend, Hasan will compete in heptathlon events to prepare for her next multi-event.
–ND–