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Track And Field Claims Two Events On Day One Of Alex Wilson Invitational

March 2, 2001

Box Score

Notre Dame, Ind. – Irish sophomores Tameisha King and Tom Gilbert took first place in the women’s and men’s long jump Friday on day one of the Alex Wilson Invitational. This meet is the last chance for runners to qualify for the NCAA Championships March 9-10 in Fayetteville, Ark.

King recorded a season-best leap of 6.18 meters or 20 inches 3 1/2 feet in the long jump, a provisional qualifying mark and one that could put her in the NCAA meet. King outjumped second-place finisher Simidele Adeagbo of Kentucky (6.00 m, 19-8 1/4) and Shevan Threats, also of Kentucky, who was third at 5.92 meters (19-5 1/4).

Gilbert jumped 7.00 meters (22-11 3/4) finishing ahead of teammate Ed Faustin, who was a distant second at 6.57 meters (21-6 3/4). Notre Dame’s Williams Croker was third in 5.93 (19-5 1/2), while Marton Gyulai of Notre Dame rounded out the competition at 5.92 (19-5 1/4).

The men’s distance relay was billed as the event of the night and it did not disappoint as the spectacular field qualified seven teams to the NCAA Championships. Stanford won the race in 9:38.50. Kansas was second in 9:39.16, followed by Texas at 9:40.26, Florida (9:40.37), Kentucky (9:40.62), Villanova (9:42.47) and Rice (9:45.70). The NCAA automatic qualifying time coming into the race was 9:41.25.

In the women’s distance medley, South Florida defeated Ball State in a close race as the Bulls won in 11:43.23.

The Stanford women finished one-two in the 5,000 meters as Victoria Chang won the race in 17:04.26. Her Cardinal teammate Erin Sullivan was second 17:24.45. Notre Dame claimed the next four sports with Chrissy Kuenster placing third in 18:15.47 and Heather O’Brien taking fourth at 18:37.54.

In the men’s 5,000 meters, Eastern Michigan’s Aaron Bartee provisionally qualified for the NCAA Championships finishing in a time of 14:08.91. Michigan’s Matt Wisniewski was second in 14:16.28, while North Carolina State’s Ryan Woods was third at 14:16.58. Wisniewski and Woods also provisionally qualified for the NCAAs.

In the men’s weight throw, Notre Dame claimed positions two through six. Matt Groh, competing unattached, was first with a throw of 16.39 meters (53-0 1/4). Notre Dame’s Brian Thornburg was second at 15.76 (51-8 1/2), while John Scolaro was third with a throw of 14.58m (47-10). Derek Dyer (13.49m, 44-3 1/4), Jason Alba (13.25m, 43-5 3/4) and Jason Davis (12.72m, 41.08 3/4) took the final three positions.

Purdue’s Serene Ross won the women’s weight throw with a provisional qualifying mark of 18.25 (59-10 1/2). She was followed by teammate Cynthia Bortz at 17.96 meters (58-11 1/4) and Mauree Onnyeagbako of Stanford at 17.89 (58-8 1/2). Bortz and Onnyeagbako also had provisional qualifying marks.

In the women’s pole vault, Eastern Michigan’s Hanna Palamoa won with a leap of 3.92 meters (12-10 1/4). Purdue’s Ebbie Metzinger jumped the same height, but finished second, while the Boilers Katie Meyer was third at 3.80 meters (12-5 1/2). All three provisionally qualified for the NCAA meet.

The Alex Wilson Invitational continues tomorrow beginning with the field events at 10:00 a.m.