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Notre Dame Track And Field Hosts Alex Wilson Invitational This Weekend

Feb. 28, 2002

2002 Alex Wilson Invitational *Loftus Sports Center * Notre Dame, Ind.

Friday, March 1 (6 p.m.) and Saturday, March 2 (10:30 a.m.)

Notre Dame plays host to a talented group of athletes for the 2002 Alex Wilson Invitational:

The last chance for indoor track and field teams around the nation to qualify for this year’s NCAA Championships is this coming weekend. Notre Dame hosts the 2002 Alex Wilson Invitational at the Loftus Sports Center on Friday and Saturday, welcoming any and all teams from across the nation who will make their final attempts to post qualifying times. The Alex Wilson Invitational is nationally recognized as being the perfect opportunity for even small teams to try and qualify for NCAA’s, as Notre Dame’s Meyo Field boasts one of the fastest tracks in the nation. This benefits both sprinters and long-distance runners alike. Look especially for standouts in the “Alex Wilson 800”, the 800 meters event known for its heated competition. In all, 77 different teams will be represented at the meet this weekend.

Women’s team grabs first conference title:

Notre Dame is riding high off its recent success at the 2002 BIG EAST Championships, held in Syracuse, N.Y. on Feb. 16 and 17. The Irish women’s team captured first place overall, narrowly edging out Georgetown by two points and Miami by six. The women’s team victory is unique – as the Irish did not win a single event, but utilized their depth to take home the team title. The Notre Dame men finished a strong third, following closely behind Connecticut and Villanova. The team’s success on the field led to the Notre Dame coaching staff, head coach Joe Piane and assistant coaches Tim Connelly, John Millar, and Scott Windsor, earning the prestigious 2002 BIG EAST Women’s Coaching Staff of the Year title.

Notre Dame competitors to watch this weekend:

Irish sophomore Ayesha Boyd already has two NCAA qualifying times to her name, a provisional time of 7.44 in the 60 meters and an automatic time of 23.80 in the 200 meters. Senior Liz Grow also has earned a spot at the NCAA’s in the 400 meters, having posted a time of 53.89. Joining Grow is junior Kymia Love, not far behind in the 400 with a personal best of 54.23.

Freshman standout Lauren King proved herself worthy of a spot at the NCAA’s after her 3,000 meters time of 9:35.86 at the Meyo Invitational. Notre Dame’s combination of Love, Boyd, Grow, and sophomore Kristen Dodd could prove tough to top in the 4×400 meter relay at NCAA’s, with the women holding a time of 3:37.33 to their name. Junior Tameisha King has already earned herself a spot in the long jump, as her Meyo Invitational distance of 6.27 meters will put her in the NCAA field.

Junior pole vaulter Jaime Volkmer is closing in on her first NCAA appearance this season. Her 3.80 (12-5 1/2) clearance from the BIG EAST meet set a school record and put her in reach of an NCAA qualifying jump. The most recent NCAA performance list indicates that a 3.85 (12-7 1/2) measurement could put Volkmer in the field.

On the men’s side, there is no need to worry about Irish representation the NCAA’s, as the unbeatable senior duo of Luke Watson and Ryan Shay have both already qualified. Watson holds the second best 3,000 meter time in the nation, ahead of the pack with a time of 7:54.02, and Shay is not far behind with his 10th-ranked time of 7:58.73. Shay will also be competing in the 5,000 meters with the third best time of 13:46.80, a mere .3 seconds behind the second place Alabama runner. Watson also leads the Irish distance medley relay team of sophomores Kevin Somok and James Bracken, along with freshman Eric Morrison, as their 9:42.00 effort earns them a coveted spot. Both Watson and Shay will be running the mile run on Saturday, in pursuit of an NCAA qualifying time and possible sub-four minute mile.

Look for other Irish runners to stand out this weekend, all in hopes of qualifiying for the NCAA Championships in Fayettevill, Ark., next weekend (March 8 & 9). The Alex Wilson Invitational is one of the best ‘last chance meets’ in the nation, as teams and individual runners from around the country take one last shot at the right to be in the field at the NCAA Championship.

Alex Wilson Invitational results:

Due to the large number of schools in the field this weekend, complete results will not be faxed to each competing school. Results from this weekend’s meet will be available on www.und.com, as soon as competition is completed on Friday and Saturday.

2002 Alex Wilson Invitational order of events (as of Feb. 28)

Friday, March 1

Time Event Sections/Heats

6:00 p.m. Men’s Weight Throw (Women follow)

6:00 p.m. Women’s Long Jump (Men follow)

6:00 p.m. Women’s Pole Vault

7:00 p.m. Women’s 5,000 one section

7:20 p.m. Men’s 5,000 two sections

8:00 p.m. Women’s Distance Medley Relay

8:15 p.m. Men’s Distance Medley Relay

Saturday, March 2

Time Event Sections/Heats

10:30 a.m. Women’s Triple Jump (Men follow)

11:00 a.m. Women’s Shot Put (Men follow)

12:00 p.m. Men’s Pole Vault

12:00 p.m. Women’s High Jump (Men follow)

12:00 p.m. Women’s 60M Hurdles Trials one heat

12:05 p.m. Men’s 60M Hurdles Trials four heats

12:20 p.m. Women’s 60M Dash Trials two heats

12:25 p.m. Men’s 60M Dash Trials four heats

12:35 p.m. Women’s 3,000 one section

12:50 p.m. Men’s 3,000 one section

1:05 p.m. Women’s 60M Hurdle Finals

1:10 p.m. Men’s 60M Hurdle Finals

1:20 p.m. Women’s 60M Dash Finals

1:25 p.m. Men’s 60M Dash Finals

1:35 p.m. The Alex Wilson 800 two sections

1:45 p.m. Women’s 400 M (heats against time) two sections

1:50 p.m. Men’s 400 M (heats against time) five sections

2:10 p.m. Women’s 800 M (heats against time) three sections

2:25 p.m. Men’s 800 M (heats against time) three sections

2:45 p.m. Women’s 200 M Dash (heats against time) two sections

2:50 p.m. Men’s 200 M Dash (heats against time) five sections

3:15 p.m. Women’s Mile three sections

3:40 p.m. Men’s Mile four sections

4:15 p.m. Men’s 4×440 Yard Relay two sections

4:25 p.m. Women’s 4×440 Yard Relay one section