April 10, 2007

DURHAM, NC - The Saint Joseph's track teams competed at the Duke Asics Invitational this past weekend. The event, held Friday, April 6 and Saturday, April 7, featured a number of Hawk runners competing in numerous races. Graduate student Mike DiDio had the best performance of the weekend, placing third in both the 800m and the 1,500m. There was no team scoring.

DiDio ran a 3:45.63 in the seeded 1,500m race on Friday afternoon, a mark that qualifies him for both the IC4A Championships and the NCAA Regionals. Also qualifying for both meets was senior Teddy Meyers. Meyers turned in a 14:05.71 in the seeded 5,000m race, placing him sixth in the race. Also running in the 5,000 were Will Rowland and Justin Heinze. Rowland carded a 14:51.39, while Heinze turned in a 15:52.79. Senior Shawn Duffy ran a 31:36.01 in the 10,000m to put him near the top of the Atlantic 10 list in the event. On Saturday, senior Matt McClure improved his season-best in the shot put to 41' 10 ½". DiDio then earned his second top-three finish in as many days, turning in a 1:53.77 in the seeded 800m (third place). Shortly behind him were sophomore Brendan Kearney (1:54.68) and freshman Brian Doherty (1:57.26). Junior Rich Ryan ran the A-10's fastest 3,000m steeplechase time of the season, finishing 12th with a time of 9:26.08.

For the women, Friday afternoon saw freshman Beth Getty improve her season-best leap in the triple jump to 33' 10", while sophomore Lauren Slack improved her long jump mark to 5' 3". Senior Suzie McHenry and sophomore Amy Rhein turned in 5,000m times that qualified them for the conference's top-15 list. McHenry was 15th with her 17:52.00, while Rhein's time of 18:23.50 placed her 29th. Saturday's results featured solid performances in the 800m from a quintet of Hawks. Seniors Erin Kelly and Rebecca Powell turned in times of 2:21.85 and 2:24.41, respectively, to lead the SJU contingent. Also running in the race were freshmen Caitlin Reusche (2:25.44, won heat), Anna Cushing (2:27.89), and Kierstin Quinn (2:29.18). Junior Jordan Teuber placed eighth in the 200m, running a 25.41. She also turned in a 12.84 in the 100m, just behind senior co-captain Valerie Ramirez' 12.80. The two teamed up with senior co-captain Julie Lentz and freshman Nicole McMullen to run a 48.03 in the 4x100 relay. That time was good for fourth place and qualified the foursome for this spring's ECAC Championship meet. McMullen and Lentz also ran the final two legs of the 4x400 relay with freshman Caitlin McGrath and senior Amanda Guthridge. The squad won its heat and placed third overall.

The Hawks return to the track this weekend at the Onesty Invitational. The meet takes place Saturday, April 14, in Charlottesville, VA.