Jan. 31, 2003
The University of Notre Dame men’s and women’s dual meet with Michigan State on Friday night turned into the Jaime Volkmer show. The Irish men defeated the Spartans 93-54 and the ND women won 94-67, but Volkmer was the talk of the meet after her impressive pole vault outing.
Volkmer won the pole vault competition by clearing 3.90m (12-9 1/2). That mark not only eclipses her school record set in 2002, it is a NCAA consideration clearance as well. For the NCAA Championship, there is both a provisional and automatic qualifying mark that needs to be reached. Depending on how many athletes across the nation make that provisional mark, which Volkmer did by going over 3.90m, the NCAA will decide who makes the indoor championship field in Fayetteville, Ark., on March 14 and 15.
The pole vault effort from Friday night is the second school record Volkmer has set this season. She also set a new triple jump mark at Central Michigan two weeks ago. Against Michigan State, Volkmer won the triple jump with a 12.06m (39-6 3/4) measurement.
In addition to Volkmer’s accomplishments, the Notre Dame men and women combined to win 22 events on the evening.
Senior Tameisha King joined Volkmer in posting multiple victories against the Spartans, though King did one better than her teammate. The Mableton, Ga., native ended up with three individual titles on the night, winning the long jump (5.90m, 19-4 1/2), 60 meters (7.61) and 60-meter hurdles (8.71).
Other event victories for the women’s team were provided by Emily Loomis in the high jump (5-8 3/4), Meghan Horn in the shot put (13.57m, 44-6 1/4), Tiffany Gunn in the 500 meters (1:14.44), Rose Brakel-Pierce in the 400 meters (58.95), Kristen Dodd in the 200 meters (24.80) and Jennifer Handley in the 3,000 meters (9:57.78).
The men’s team continued to compete well and show strength across all the running events. Selim Nurudeen swept the 60-meter events for the second meet in a row, crossing the finish line first in the 60 meters (6.92) and the 60-meter hurdles. Sophomore Trevor McClain-Duer qualified for his second BIG EAST Championship event in the 500 meters, taking first place in 1:04.61. Godwin Mbagwu continued to perform well in the triple jump, taking home his third individual victory of the season with a 14.27m (46-10) effort.
Notre Dame’s men’s distance group made a name for themselves as well against the Spartans. The Irish claimed first in all three long distance events competed, started off by an 800-meter victory by junior Kevin Somok (1:54.09). Eric Morrison led a one-two-three finish for Notre Dame in the mile (4:08.98) and John Keane just edged teammate Marc Striowski at the finish line in the 3,000 meters (8:29.36).
Other winners for the men’s team on Friday included Ryan Postel in the 400 meters (49.21) and Jules Vandersarl in the 200 meters (22.29).
The track and field season hits full form next week at home for both Irish teams. The 2003 Meyo Invitational is set for Friday, Feb. 7, and Saturday, Feb. 8, in the Loftus Sports Center. More information about the Meyo Invitational will be released later in the week.