Syracuse University
Alex Wilson Invitational
Heath Topples 26-Year Old Record
3/7/2009 9:20:17 PM | Track and Field
Alex Wilson Invitational 3K Results
SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Senior Kyle Heath stamped out a 26-year old record on Saturday afternoon by finishing the 3,000-meter race in 8:00.14, surpassing All-American Jim O'Connell's record of 8:04.80 he set back in 1983.
Heath's new standard was at the Alex Wilson Invitational hosted by Notre Dame as a last chance meet. The Farmington, N.Y. native placed sixth in the competition, topping 16 other competitors with his NCAA-Provisional time.
"I am very proud of Kyle," head coach Chris Fox said. "All of the training and hard work he has put into this has finally paid off. It's just one of his many accomplishments here at Syracuse and I'm sure there will be a few more to come."
Heath became Syracuse's first All-American distance runner since O'Connell in 1983 after setting the school record in the 3,000m steeplechase with a time of sixth-place time of 8:38.03 at the 2008 Division I Outdoor Track and Field NCAA Championship.
Heath claimed second place two weeks ago at the 2009 BIG EAST Indoor Championship with mark of 8:08.31 in the 3K event.
The fourth-year harrier was also an IC4A and BIG EAST champion last outdoor season in the 3,000-meter steeplechase after he finished with times of 8:50.82 and 8:57.39, in that order.
Heath was the only member of the Orange to compete at Notre Dame on Friday and he will await the NCAA announcement to see if he has qualified for either the 3,000-meter or mile race. His new school standard of 8:00.14 and a time of 4:01.47 in the mile at Penn State both inked him on the NCAA Provisional list.
The NCAA Indoor Championship starts on Saturday, March 14, in College Station, Texas. Texas A & M will host the 2009 NCAA Indoor Championship.
