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Track And Field Begins New Year At Central Michigan Opener

Jan. 17, 2003

The University of Notre Dame men’s and women’s track and field teams began the 2003 season with the Central Michigan Opener on Friday evening. The event was non-scoring, but a number of Irish athletes came away with impressive times and individual victories. Senior Tameisha King, a two-time All-American in the long jump, showed that she is ready for a great indoor season with an NCAA qualification measurement on Friday. King easily won the long jump, leaping 6.31m (20-8) to put up a possible qualification mark for the NCAA Championship and break her own Notre Dame indoor record (previously 20-7).

King was also in action on the track, finishing second in the 60 meters (7.51) ahead of teammate Kristen Dodd (7.76). Dodd returned to the track for the 200 meters to post her own individual victory in 25.09.

Moving up to the 400 meters, Notre Dame was equally effective with Kymia Love taking first (56.29) and Tiffany Gunn crossing in second (56.98). Gunn would get her victory in her specialty, the hurdles, sprinting across the finish line in 8.85 to win the 60-meter hurldes. Rookie Stacey Cowan was third (9.26).

Senior Jaime Volkmer had an outstanding meet as well. She ended up with two individual wins, clearing 3.58m (11-9) in the pole vault and leaping 12.25m (40-2 1/4) in the triple jump. Volkmer’s 40-2 1/4 measurement breaks her old school record of 39-8 set in 2000.

The men’s team walked away with three event victories. Freshman Thomas Chamney won his first career collegiate race, beating out CMU’s Ron Miller at the finish line during the 800 meters in 1:54.83.

Sophomore Selim Nurudeen, who broke through for a BIG EAST title in the hurdles during his freshman campaign, began his season in style with a win in the 60-meter hurdles (8.01). Classmate Chris Staron provided the other win for the Irish men, clearing 2.00m (6-6 3/4) to finish first in the high jump.

Other notable finishes for the men included freshman Ryan Postel taking second in the 400 meters (49.60) and Godwin Mbagwu ending up second in both the long jump (6.98m, 22-11) and the triple jump (14.79m, 48-6 1/4).

Notre Dame will be in action at home next weekend, taking on Ball State at the Loftus Sports Center Friday, Jan. 24, at 7 p.m.