TRACK AND FIELD: Records could fall at Meyo Invitational
By DAVE COOK
Sports Writer
There are many titles that Luke Watson has earned during his tenure at Notre Dame. He has been named an All-American several times over, 3,000-meter steeplechase champion in the Big East, All-Big East team and more.
But there is one title that takes a little something extra, even more than what Watson has accomplished so far: team leader.
Now in his senior year, Watson has established himself as a true team leader.
This past weekend, he led the Notre Dame men's distance medley team to a third-pace finish in the adidas Boston Indoor Games, qualifying them for a spot in the NCAA indoor championships in March.
The Irish were in sixth place going into the final leg of the relay, but Watson's blistering 1600-meter relay time of 3:58.74 moved them up into third place and one second under the NCAA automatic qualifying time.
"When he got the stick he was in maybe sixth, and we ended up third," said head coach Joe Piane. "He did a brilliant job."
The relay team consisted of sophomore Kevin Somok running the 1,200, classmate James Bracken running the 400, freshman Eric Morrison running the 800, and Watson anchoring with the 1,600.
"They ran okay, I think we can run significantly better," said Piane. "I think Somok can run several seconds better, Bracken ran well and he might be able to run a little bit faster. And certainly Eric Morrison can run faster."
Arkansas won the distance medley, with Connecticut finishing in second place. The Notre Dame distance medley team is presently ranked third in the country.
This weekend marks the beginning of the heart of the indoor track season, the highly competitive Meyo Invitational. Although it is not a team scored meet, upwards of 14 teams and elite independent runners from around the nation will be at Notre Dame to compete.
In last year's invitational, two school records were set, not surprisingly by sprints specialist Liz Grow and distance runner Ryan Shay.
Grow broke her own record in the 400-meter with a time of 53.30, and Shay broke the school record in the 5,000-meter with a time of 13:52.66.
A total of 38 NCAA consideration times were posted in the Meyo Invitational last year, including nine just in the 5,000-meter run. Of those nine, five runners had automatic qualifying times.
The Irish look to qualify many athletes for both the Big East championships and the NCAA championships in the coming weeks.
Of the women's distance runners, Jennifer Handley, Lauren King, and Megan Johnson hope to run qualifying times this weekend.
"They're working very very hard. Jen Handley had a really good outdoor track season, and carried that over into cross-country this year, and just kept it going," said women's distance coach Tim Connelly. "In Megan [Johnson's] race last week [1,600-meter run] she was in control the whole way, so hopefully we can get her into some competition that will help her to run fast."
"We're trying to get our kids ready for the Big East championships," said Connelly. "I think both Jen [Handley] and Lauren [King] are ready to run NCAA qualifying times, as well as Megan Johnson in the mile."
The men's and women's field teams have had a strong season so far, and field events coach Scott Winsor hopes the team displays their improvements this weekend in the invitational.
Quill Redwine, who has been having problems with his legs so far this season, is trying to get back in top physical shape.
"Its very difficult for him to go all out in practice. Right now we're just trying to get him back out around his PR[personal record] in the high jump and triple jump," said Winsor. "He's capable of doing a lot more than he's done so far this year, but its early."
Jamie Volkmer, who has struggled in the last two meets in the pole vault, has had considerable success in the triple jump. She hopes to do well in both events this weekend.
"Jamie is a very good competitor. She's one of the best competitors on the team. I look to her to have a pretty good meet this week," said Winsor.
Events of the Meyo Invitational begin at 6 p.m. on Friday night and continue at 10 a.m. on Saturday Morning on Meyo Field.
All Sports Stories for Friday, February 1, 2002
