March 4, 2005
Notre Dame, Ind. – The Michigan distance medley relay team set a new track record (9:28.12), and the next 17 finishers in the event earned NCAA qualifying times, to conclude day one of the Alex Wilson Invitational at the Loftus Center on the campus of the University of Notre Dame. The Irish contingent of Eric Morrison, Trevor McClain-Duer, Adam Currie and Kurt Benninger finished in third (9:35.12). That time was good for an NCAA provisional qualification and should prove to be the sixth fastest time in the nation heading into the NCAA Championships next weekend.
In the 5,000 meters, Sean O’Donnell claimed fourth place and earned an NCAA provisional qualification with a time of 4:11.12. The three runners ahead of O’Donnell reached NCAA automatic qualifiers.
Stacey Cowan claimed the top finish for an Irish athlete in the meet, garnering second-place honors in the high jump, clearing a height of 1.70m (5′ 7″).
Two more track records were broken on Friday night, in the men’s long jump and the women’s weight throw. In the long jump, Indiana’s Aarik Wilson leaped to the longest jump in the nation this year, with a record jump of 8.12m (26′ 7.5″). In the weight throw the top two finishers broke the old track record. Kimberli Barrett won the event with a toss of 20.97m (68′ 9.5″).
The Alex Wilson Invitational continues Saturday at 10:30 with the women’s triple jump. The first running event starts at noon.