Track: WVU Set To Open 2009 Outdoor Season
March 26, 2009 11:47 AM | General
March 26, 2009
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The West Virginia University track and field team opens its 2009 outdoor season this weekend with a pair of meets. Five athletes will compete in the Stanford Invitational in Palo Alto, Calif., on March 27-28, while the rest of the team will take a short trip to Wheeling Jesuit to compete in the WJU Bill Van Horne Invitational on March 28.
Runners Clara Grandt will compete in the10k, freshman Ahna Lewis will race in the 5k, senior Alison Spiker will compete in the steeple chase and junior Karly Hamric will race the 800-meter. Sophomore Jessica O’Connell is also slated to compete but a race day decision will be made on whether or not she will compete due to health issues.
“We are going to California to get ECAC, NCAA Regional and Championship qualifying times,” commented Coach Sean Cleary. “Clara is looking to punch her ticket this weekend right into the NCAA Championships, as is Karly. Alison was a national qualifier last year and we want to use this first steeple chase of the season to get at least an ECAC and BIG EAST qualifying time; the first one is always tricky. Ahna Lewis is making her debut in outdoor track. This is her freshman qualifying year and I’m looking for her to qualify in the 5k right off the bat.”
The rest of the team will be competing in the WJU Bill Van Horne Invitational. Chelsea Carrier, April Rotilio and Katelyn Williams look to stretch their legs in the first outdoor meet of the season after a successful indoor season.
“This race gives our athletes’ families the chance to see them race in a low key kickoff race in West Virginia,” added Cleary. “Everyone who is healthy and ready to go will compete this weekend. It’s a big opening weekend for us.”
Live results for the Stanford Invitational can be found on Gostanford.com, while WJU’s Bill Van Horne Invitational results will appear on www.WJU.edu/athletics.
Full recaps from both meets will be available on MSNsportsNet.com. Due to the time change, Friday’s results from the Stanford Invitational will be available on Saturday morning, while Saturday’s results and recap will be available on Sunday morning. WJU Bill Van Horne results will be available on Saturday evening.
