AKRON, Ohio -- The Notre Dame Track & Field team set a pair of program records and qualified for nationals in four separate events in wet, adverse conditions at the Campbell/Wright Invitational over the weekend. (
Results)
The Falcons competed against several top notch programs in Northeast Ohio, as well as other great programs in the Mid-American Conference.
The team of
Demar Sheffey,
Jerrell Settles,
Joseph Leyland, and
Brandon Tolliver highlighted the men’s side by winning the 4x100-Meter Relay, finishing with a time of 42.75 seconds. Sheffey also finished the 200-Meter Dash in 22.13 seconds, good enough for second place.
Tom Gay placed second in the 400-Meter IM Hurdles with a time of 55.12 seconds. In the 400-Meter Dash,
Andre Robinson finished third with a time of 49.85 seconds.
There were several highlights on the women’s side, as they set a pair of school records and qualified for nationals in four events.
Noelle Johnson was the winner of the Long Jump, with a leap of 5.24 meters (17’2 ½’’), and she set a new school record in the Triple Jump, with a leap of 11.48 meters (37’8’’), which was also made her a national qualifier in the event.
Samantha Murphy finished fourth in the Shot Put, and not only qualified for nationals, but also set a school record with a 13.27 meter (43’6 1/2”) toss.
Tiffany Tucker and
Jessica Thomas finished first and second in the 100-Meter High Hurdles respectively, with times of 14.73 and 14.85 seconds. Tucker’s performance made her a national qualifier in the event.
Shawnta Davis ran a 1:00.34 in the 400-Meter Dash, placing her second in the event. The team of Davis, Tucker,
Lauren Macer, and
Ava Woods capped Notre Dame’s big weekend with a first place finish in the 4x100-Meter Relay in 48.80 seconds, and qualified for nationals.
“The weather was not ideal for a track and field competition, but our athletes managed very well by breaking two school records and having four “A” qualifying standards for the National Championship meet”, said Head Coach
Rico Franklin. “We have a goal to get better each week and we have done just that. I’m very proud of our athletes and the job they are doing in our first year together.”
The Falcons are back in action next Friday, May 14, when they head to Meadville, Pa., to compete in the Gator Invitational.