May 16, 2003
ATLANTA, Ga. – Two members of the University of Notre Dame women’s track & field team were able to improve their standing for the upcoming NCAA regionals with standout performances Friday night at the Georgia Tech Invitational in Atlanta. The meet is the final chance for Irish athletes to enhance their NCAA qualifying standards or post their first qualification of the year prior to the NCAA Mideast Regional, which will take place in two weeks in Columbus, Ohio.
Sophomore Lauren King (Toronto, Ontario, Canada) turned in the fastest 1,500-meter time in the region this year, clocking in at 4:14.72 to place third in the event at Georgia Tech. Coming into Friday night’s race, King had the fourth-fastest time in the region (4:16.43), which she bettered by nearly two full seconds. She also finished almost a half-second better than the previous top time in the Mideast Region, held by Tiffany McWilliams of Mississippi State (4:15.13).
In that same race, sophomore Kerry Meagher (Allentown, Pa.) qualified for the NCAA regional meet for the first time this season, registering a time of 4:30.45, which was good for 24th in the Mideast. Meagher had been competing primarily at 800 meters, but she becomes the fourth Irish runner to qualify in the 1,500-meter run this year.
Several other Notre Dame athletes were in action on Friday night, but none of them were able to improve their NCAA qualifying standards or post a regional qualifying mark (see agate below). The majority of the events at the Georgia Tech Invitational will be contested on Saturday, beginning with the men’s hammer throw at 11 a.m. (EDT). The meet will conclude with the men’s and women’s 4×400-meter relays at 9:30 p.m. (EDT).
— ND —
2003 Georgia Tech Invitational — Day 1
Women’s 1,500 meters – Final
3rd – Lauren King (ND), 4:14.72 (regional qualifier – 1st)
10th – Molly Huddle (ND), 4:23.43
18th – Kerry Meagher (ND), 4:30.45 (regional qualifier – 24th)
23rd – Stephanie Madia (ND), 4:35.96
Women’s 5,000 meters – Final
10th – Jean Marinangeli (ND), 17:42.64
Women’s Shot Put – Final
12th – Meghan Horn (ND), 13.44m (44-1.25)
Men’s 1,500 meters – Final
5th – Eric Morrison (ND), 3:47.91
11th – Kevin Somok (ND), 3:49.45
15th – Vinnie Ambrico (ND), 3:51.13
Men’s 3,000-meter steeplechase – Final
6th – David Alber (ND), 9:28.14