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Syracuse University
Princeton Larry Ellis Invitational
Distance Team Hits Four NCAA Marks
4/18/2009 5:49:13 PM | Track and Field
Princeton Larry Ellis Invitational Results (Day One)
PRINCETON, N.J. – The Syracuse distance team had many great moments at the Larry Ellis Invitational as the Friday night lights paved the way for Syracuse at Weaver Stadium. Senior Kyle Heath highlighted the Orange effort with an NCAA-Regional qualifying victory in the steeplechase while three women recorded NCAA marks in the same contest.
In the outdoor opener at Stanford, Heath set the standard with an impressive time of 8:40.89 for second place, but his time of 8:51.39 at Princeton was good enough for the title on Friday night. The Farmington, N.Y. native topped 38 other competitors for SU's first men's steeplechase crown of the outdoor season.
Freshmen Natalie Busby and Heather Stephens along with sophomore Rebekah MacKay all qualified for the NCAA Regional with fine performances, as well. Busby's mark of 10:33.45 notched her a second-place finish while MacKay crossed the line in 10:36.04 for third. Stephens put forth another top 10 time of 10:39.77 for seventh place. Junior Stefanie Slekis made a splash with a 12th-place performance of 10:53.05, making her eligible for the conference championship at the beginning of May.
Sophomores Catherine DeSarle and Katie Hursey each posted ECAC marks in the 1,500-meter run with respective times of 4:29.76 for 10th and 4:31.38 for 13th. Second-year harrier Liz McCarter qualified for the BIG EAST Outdoor Championship with a 17th-place showing of 4:34.28. Junior Maegan Krifchin took home 23rd place with a clip of 4:40.52.
Following up in the men's 3,000-meter steeplechase, freshman Pat Dupont made the grade for the IC4A's with a time of 9:11.83 for eighth while sophomore Michael Brocks earned a spot at the BIG EAST meet with his 11th-place time of 9:16.20.
Freshman Griff Graves and sophomore Steve Weeks put up a good fight in the 5,000-meter challenge with IC4A times of 14:20.71 and 14:23.45, in that order, for 11th and 12th place. Sophomore Corey Robinson finished up in 59th with a mark of 15:18.40.
Senior Stacie Boyle turned in a 20th-place performance of 2:15.37 in the 800-meter race.
The sprinters and throwers will take their marks for Saturday's slate of events for day two of the Princeton Larry Ellis Invitational.
