March 27, 2004
The University of Notre Dame men’s and women’s track and field teams appeared in two different meets over the weekend, with the top sprinters and distance runners making the trip to California for the Stanford Invitational while the rest of the roster entered the Purdue Invitational. Both groups of Irish athletes posted impressive performances – as many of the competitors were making their first appearance outdoors in 2004.
Out at Stanford in the first day of competition, Selim Nurudeen provided the Irish team highlight, running 14.11 in the 110-meter hurdles. For his first effort of the outdoor campaign, the three-time BIG EAST Champion qualifies for both the NCAA Regional Meet and the BIG EAST Championship. Nurudeen will compete in the finals late Saturday evening.
On the women’s side at Stanford, senior Kristen Dodd posted a solid effort in her first 100 meter dash of the year, finishing second in her preliminary heat (12.14) to move on to the finals. That time also qualifies for the BIG EAST Championship.
Other BIG EAST qualifiers from Stanford for the Irish teams were Jean Marinangeli in the 10,000 meters (29th, 36:14.66), Tiffany Gunn in the 400-meter hurdles (1st in section two, 1:00.52), Ryan Postel in the 200 meters (first in section three, 22.01), Trevor McClain-Duer in the 400 meters (second in section one, 48.21), Vinnie Ambrico in the 1,500 meters (eighth in section three, 3:53.76), Sean O’Donnell in the 5,000 meters (13th in section three, 14:25.66) and Kaleb Van Ort in the 10,000 meters (29:40.85).
Back in Indiana at Purdue, the Irish men and women combined for 24 top-five finishes in the meet, with victories posted by Petra Dankova in the triple jump, Derek Goguen in the javelin, Mark Barber in the 400-meter hurdles and the men’s 4×100-meter relay team.
Dankova’s effort qualified her for the BIG EAST meet in the triple jump (12.02m – 39-1 1/4) and puts the NCAA regional qualifier in reach (12.19m). Goguen’s 59.01m effort (193-7) is his second-best of the season behind last weekend’s 60.59m measurement at the Baldy Castillo. Barber’s 400-meter hurdle effort (53.38) will put him in the BIG EAST meet as well, along with teammate Roberto Garcia (55.58) – who finished third.
Other BIG EAST Championship qualifiers from the Purdue meet included Ryan Johns in the 3,000-meter steeplechase (third, 9:20.94), Jennifer Kearney in the high jump (second, 1.68m – 5-6), Meghan Horn in the discus (third, 42.40m – 139-1) and the hammer throw (11th, 40.16m – 131-9), Juan Alba (second, 49.71m – 163-1) and Chip Roberts (third, 45.86m – 150-5) in the discus, Alba in the hammer throw (sixth, 52.92m – 173-7) along Roberts (seventh, 50.54m – 165-10) and Jason Davis (49.00m – 160-9) and the men’s 4×100-meter relay (first, 42.59).
Notre Dame will hit their home track next weekend, as the Irish play host to the 2004 Spring Opener on Saturday, April 3, at 10:00 a.m.