Saturday, July 30, 2011

Marina Muncan Goes 4:15.74 at Flanders Cup 1500


Today at the Flanders Cup meeting in Belgium, Marina Muncan was 11th in the 1500 4:15.74. Here are the complete results.

1500 meter

1 9728 SIFUENTES Nicole 86 CAN 4:08.45
2 9859 HARRER Corinna 91 GER 4:08.63
3 9692 ELMORE Malindi 80 CAN 4:08.74
4 9736 MALOY Elizabeth 85 USA 4:09.69
5 1618 Belete Almensh* 89 VAC 4:10.53
6 9907 WENTH Jennifer 91 AUT 4:11.07
7 9853 COBURN Emma 90 USA 4:12.97
8 9730 RAMOS Beverly 87 PUR 4:13.37
9 9854 DRUMM Orla 84 IRL 4:14.08
10 9741 JANUSELSKI Laura 4:15.13
11 9733 MUNCAN Marina 82 SRB 4:15.74
12 1361 Maveau Barbara 87 FLAC 4:17.96
13 9673 MASON Cathey USA 4:25.17
14 9986 PRUVOST Fanny 79 FRA 4:29.52
9720 MAKHANYA Mapaseka 85 RSA DNF
9980 DI CRESCENZO Delilah 83 USA DNF

Friday, July 29, 2011

One Bowerman Award Voter Says "Sheila Reid Got Robbed"


This blog used the word "snubbed" to describe Sheila Reid's absence from the list of three Bowerman Award finalists. Someone closer to the award has gone a bit further. Jesse Squire, a voter for the Bowerman Award and the man behind The Track & Field Superfan website (linked here), thinks that Villanova's Sheila Reid should have been among the three finalists for the award -- going so far as to say that Reid "got robbed" of a spot among the finalists. Here's the story from Squire that was posted on Wednesday.


The Bowerman, and thoughts on awards

July 27, 2011

A few weeks ago the ESPYs took place. Like all awards shows, they exist primarily as annual self-promoting PR stunts, in this case for ESPN itself.

Track and field was at least nominally included. Tyson Gay won “Best Track and Field Athlete”. Hurdler Lolo Jones made a splash on the red carpet, with her usual “just little old me, can’t get a date” attitude that doesn’t in any way match her appearance.

Why was Tyson Gay the “Best Track and Field Athlete”? Oh, who knows. It’s not like they have criteria for these awards. I’m reminded of the old All-Madden Team selection shows, when Madden responded to a question about criteria for inclusion. He said “We don’t use big words like criteria…or mayonnaise. We’ve just got guys. Big guys running into each other.”

I mention this because we all understand that winning an ESPY doesn’t mean much of anything besides getting your mug on TV for a bit. You never hear the next day about this person or that person getting robbed of an award they truly deserved. It’s understood that it’s either all in good fun, or the usual ESPN hot air, or a bit of both.

You do hear about people who get robbed of other awards, be it the Heisman or the Oscars, because we actually care who wins. Arguing and controversy, by themselves, aren’t necessarily bad. Even important awards still exist primarily as PR machines, and anything that gets them in the press is a good thing. Usually.

I bring this up because about the time the ESPYs took place, the finalists were announced for the Bowerman Award, given annually to the outstanding male and female college track and/or field athletes of the year. The award was created three years ago for a few reasons. One was to recognize these outstanding young men and women, but another was to drum up some much-needed PR for college track.

What I have to say on the subject isn’t merely my usual pontificating; I’m now on the voting panel that decides who wins these things. The panel is made up of “national and regional media personnel, track & field statisticians, NCAA collegiate administrators, Presidents of affiliated organizations, and self-appointed loudmouths with blogs”. Well, I made that last part up. Apparently I fall under “media personnel”. The fans also collectively get a vote.

The men’s finalists:
Jeshua Anderson, Washington State, the NCAA 400 meter hurdles champion
Ngoni Makusha, Florida State, the NCAA indoor/outdoor long jump champion and 100 meter champion and collegiate record holder
Christian Taylor, Florida, the NCAA outdoor triple jump champion

The women’s finalists:
Jessica Beard, Texas A&M, the NCAA indoor/outdoor 400 meter champion
Kimberlyn Duncan, LSU, the NCAA indoor/outdoor 200 meter champion
Tina Šutej, Arkansas, the NCAA indoor pole vault champion and indoor/outdoor collegiate record holder

I got my ballot yesterday. Before I can even decide who to pick, I have to think about the criteria.

All the Advisory Board says is that it “is awarded each year to the top male collegiate athlete and to the top female collegiate athlete in the sport of NCAA track & field”. The only other specification is that you only consider accomplishments made during the collegiate season (i.e., at or before the NCAA Championships on June 8-11).

Obviously this gives me a lot of leeway to decide what makes someone the top athlete.

I’ve actually put a lot of thought into what that is, long before I was ever asked to be part of the voting panel. Our local high school conference, the Toledo City League, has long given out an outstanding athlete award at its championship meet, and I’ve often disagreed with the choice. (Although not lately; it used to be up to a coaches’ vote, but was handed over to “the press” a few years ago, which boils down to The Toledo Blade‘s Steve Junga coming over to me and asking who should get it.)

Too often, an “athlete of the meet” award is given out to whoever wins the most events. Don’t get me wrong, I think winning is important. But it basically rules out anyone who is a single-event specialist. I realized this when a discus specialist on our team won the league’s title in her first meet back after going through chemotherapy for lupus, and beating an all-state thrower to do it, and basically getting no MVP vote from any coach other than ours. It was the most emotional victory I’ve ever been a part of. Obviously, some wins mean more than others, and that should be taken into consideration.

The other question that often gets asked is “who broke a record?” Hey, we know that some records are tougher than others, and record-breaking should be taken with a grain of salt, especially since sometimes the weather cooperates and sometimes it doesn’t.

The Bowerman, though, is not an “athlete of the meet” award, it’s for the season as a whole. So as the college season wore on, I decided that my vote was going to go to the athlete who most dominated their competition. Going undefeated wasn’t a necessity, but I wanted someone who won a lot and won when it was most important. When times and heights and distances come into the equation, I want someone who sticks out as being one of the better athletes in their event’s history.

On the men’s side it turned out to be a no-brainer decision. Ngoni Makusha won an NCAA indoor title, three NCAA outdoor titles, every event he entered in the ACC indoor and outdoor championships, broke the collegiate record in the 100 meters, and went to #6 on the all-time collegiate list in the long jump. He joined Carl Lewis, Jesse Owens, and DeHart Hubbard as the only men to ever win the 100/long jump double, and those are three of the six or seven greatest long jumpers of all time.

On the women’s side, it’s a bit tougher of a choice. And, from my perspective, the advisory board made the wrong decision for one of the finalists.

Tina Šutej did not win her event at the NCAA outdoor championships, the single most important competition of the year. It was her only loss of 2011, and she set a lot of records, but it’s the nature of track and field to be judged by the championship meets. No Olympic silver medalist would be on the short list for Track and Field News‘ Athlete of the Year award, and likewise I think the Bowerman finalists must all must be NCAA outdoor champions.

I’ll tell you who did win a lot: Villanova’s Sheila Reid. She won the NCAA Cross Country Championships last fall. She basically won the distance medley at the NCAA Indoor Championships by herself. She narrowly lost the 3000 at the NCAA Indoors, then won the 1500/5000 double at the NCAA Outdoor Championships.

Why was she not nominated? I’m guessing, despite having only one loss on her record, it’s because her times weren’t particularly impressive. Which is the basic problem with college track. We care more about marks than about winning. Winning is what a sports fan cares about, numbers are what an accountant cares about. I think Reid’s no records and four national championships (in five tries) beats Šutej’s two collegiate records and one championship in (two tries).

Now, this doesn’t mean I was going to vote for Reid if she had been nominated. I think there was someone more impressive.

Jessica Beard swept the indoor and outdoor titles in her event and lost just once all year, which about equals Reid for winning. Her anchor of the NCAA Outdoor Championships 4×400 relay, where she took her team from third to first, was the most impressive single performance of the entire collegiate season. She split a 49.13 which, all things considered, is the greatest 400 ever run by a woman in collegiate competition. And she didn’t have to go that hard; all she had to do to seal a team victory for Texas A&M was hold onto second place and beat Oregon, but she ran for greatness.

Anyway, you’ll get to do fan voting online in the fall, and the award will be handed out at the annual coaches’ convention in December. There will be a red carpet of sorts, as the ceremony will be live at Flotrack.com. And remember to tell ‘em that Sheila Reid got robbed.

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Kiki Litvak Ready to Vault for Villanova


Litvak Prepares to Pole Vault for Villanova
By Eliot Schickler
Westport News, July 27, 2011

Kiki Litvak doesn't allow anything to deter her.

Her unflappable nature has landed Litvak an opportunity to pole vault for Villanova University women's track team next year.

"I'm so excited, it's a dream come true for me," Litvak said. "When I was recruited by them, I couldn't believe it because they have a great program."

Before she made contact with Villanova, Litvak made her mark scoring points for Weston, serving as captain this past year. After she initially expressed interest to the Lady Wildcats, they conveyed that the feeling was mutual and enticed her to attend the Big East school.

Other colleges that Litvak considered were UMass-Amherst, the University of Michigan and Lafayette College. In the end, Villanova won out. Meeting her perspective Lady Wildcat teammates, who made her feel like family, also swayed her to choose Villanova.

"I like the size of Villanova the most," Litvak said. "Michigan and UMass are very large while Villanova has a more intimate atmosphere. Lafayette was good but I like the atmosphere of Villanova more because it's in the city."

From the moment she joined the Lady Trojans, Litvak was one of the top scorers in the pole vault and was their ace performer in it this year. Her career personal best was 11-0. She earned All-State freshman year and kept on improving.

"Hard work and obviously, a great coaching staff," said Litvak on the key to her success. "[Weston Head Coach Matt] Medve, [pole vaulting Coach Tim] Drummond and [sprinting coach and outdoor track head boys] Coach [Lloyd] Weinstein helped me a lot. They were more than coaches and I felt I could confide in them. Also, the team became like best friends."

Looking at the 5-2 Litvak, few would guess that the pole vault is her specialty. According to Drummond, she's the smallest competitor in the event at most meets. In the end, she overcomes her lack of height through her pluckiness.

"Kiki works hard to get to where she is," Drummond said. "With the pole vault being what it is, her height is a disadvantage and she has a lot to overcome."

Being a former gymnast was instrumental in Litvak's success in the pole vault. For 10 years, starting at age 4, gymnastics was her life. She competed for Arena Gymnastics in Stamford and won many medals for her stellar performance on the mat.

"I owe my success to [Arena gymnastics coaches] Laurie and Frank DeFrancesco," Litvak said. "They helped me a lot with strength and discipline and it helped me with the pole vault."

Competing for Arena became daunting for Litvak in the latter stages of her tenure there and she ended up retiring from gymnastics. Giving up the sport that was her identity back then wasn't easy.

"When it ended, I felt my whole world ended, but I wouldn't be where I am today [if I stayed in gymnastics] and I'm grateful to everyone who supported me in track," Litvak recalled. "They got me to love track and made it special for me. At the time [I left gymnastics], I was devastated, but it turned out to be the best decision for me."

Medve works as a middle school gym teacher when he doesn't coach and immediately recognized Litvak's talent in the pole vault when she was in eighth grade. He told her back then she'd be competing in it.

"I had a lot of success on the track and I love it, so I gave it a try," Litvak recalled. "I like how the pole vault is independent and it takes speed, coordination, body awareness and the combination has a lot to do with gymnastics. I miss gymnastics but it's a nice transition for me. It's my passion and I love it."

One thing Litvak relishes about the pole vault is her ability to challenge herself in it. She always strives to improve and sets goals based on previous performances.

"A lot of it is focus, hard work and determination," Litvak said. "There's no limit to how far I can go, which I find exciting. You have to be in the right place and you have to be confident and aggressive. You have to be committed to the jump because if you're tentative, it will go wrong."

Sometimes, a jump goes wrong in the pole vault and Litvak is no exception. Her ability to shake it off allows her to rebound from these vaults.

"If it's not a clean jump, you forget about it and start over," Litvak said. "Everything is a new beginning for me and I forget what happened before."

In addition to track, Litvak played field hockey for the Lady Trojans in the fall. She was Second Team All-SWC sophomore year but her ankle injury cut short her senior season.

Nevertheless, her left ankle was fully recovered in time for track. Weston was able to maintain its dominance in the pole vault with Litvak leading the charge.

Being a captain was a natural fit for Litvak, who mostly led by example through her work ethic. She also guided her teammates verbally.

"It's a very fulfilling experience I loved and it's something I'll always carry with me," Litvak said.

Academically, she took AP and honors courses. Spanish is her favorite subject.

"I tried to stay focused on my main goals," Litvak said. "I didn't go to parties all the time and I did homework on the weekends."

At Villanova, Litvak knows she'll have to raise her performance a few notches. Her goal for now is to leap 12-0.

"It will take a lot of hard work but I'm willing to put in the time and effort," Litvak said.

Drummond said, "I'm looking forward to see Kiki in college. Of all the athletes I've coached, she has the best work ethic."

Bobby Curtis Moving Up in Distance for Philly Half Marathon?


Bobby Curtis has intimated over the past several months that he is interested in working toward a fall marathon. Toward that end, perhaps, rumor has it that Curtis will compete in the Philadelphia Half Marathon on September 18th. Curtis arrived at Villanova in 2003 as one of the country's most accomplished high school milers. He found his most success on the track at Villanova at 5000 meters, winning the NCAA title at that distance in 2008. Over the past two years, Curtis has been a top-five ranked American at both 5000 and 10,000 meters (he is the fastest American so far this year at the latter distance). It now looks like he'll make his professional half-marathon debut close to his adopted home in Philadelphia. Curtis has always been a rhythm runner who performs better on the track, so it will be interesting to see if he can translate his top 10,000 track times (he's the 5th fastest native-born American ever at that distance at 27:24.67) into equally top-flight times on the roads.

Adrian Blincoe Runs onto New Zealand World Champs Team


Adrian Blincoe's recent 13:18.27 "A" standard in Barcelona landed him on the New Zealand team for the upcoming IAAF World Championships in Daegu, South Korea. It will be the 15th time that Blincoe has represented New Zealand on its national team. Here's the complete list:

1998: IAAF World Junior Cross Country Championship (Marrakesh, Morocco)
1998: IAAF World Junior Championship (Annecy, France)
2001: IAAF World Cross Country Championship (Oostende, Belgium)
2003: IAAF World Cross Country Championship (Lausanne, Switzerland)
2003: IAAF World Championship (Paris, France)
2003: IAAF World Athletics Final (Monaco)
2005: IAAF World Cross Country (St. Etienne, France)
2005: IAAF World Championship (Helsinki, Finland)
2006: IAAF World Cup (Athens, Greece)
2006: Commonwealth Games (Melbourne, Australia)
2008: 29th Olympic Games (Beijing, China)
2010: Continental Cup (Split, Croatia)
2010: IAAF World Indoor Championship (Doha, Qatar)
2010: Commonwealth Games (Delhi, India)
2011: IAAF World Championship (Daegu, South Korea)

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Hugo Beamish's Plans for 2011-12 Include World University Games and Indoor & Outdoor Seasons for Villanova



Here's a blog post from Hugo Beamish (via the Runners Tribe folks in Australia). In it, he lets everyone know that despite graduating from Villanova this spring, he'll be back for the indoor and outdoor seasons in 2012 (he's used up all his cross country eligibility). Also, he's getting ready for the World University Games in China next month, where he'll run the 5000 meters.

Been a bit of a delay in actually producing this blog after accepting a few weeks ago. Currently taking summer classes which have reluctantly taken priority, although I am writing this during an urban hydrology and stormwater management lecture which is a little duller than usual.

Despite graduating in May from Villanova and the possibility of no more classes, the thought of a real job meant more school was by far the better option. Luckily I have an indoor and outdoor season left for a 5th year that I am going to do at Villanova. No cross country, which while devastating means I can go to World Uni Games mid August after qualifying in the 5k indoors this year (by running 13:51).

It’s a bit odd not to be doing the usual slow build up, mileage only for cross country over the summer here but this outdoors was a bit average so another chance to run on the track is sweet. After only racing three times outdoors I took a week or so of easy running before beginning a few weeks of tempos and threshold.

Week looks a bit like this at the moment with about 75 miles total.

Tuesday: 4-6 mile tempo
Thursday: low key hills (8-10 about 1min long)
Friday: 6x1mile at threshold
Sunday: Long run (about 14 miles)

I have few more weeks of this before one session a week becomes a track workout. That will get me through to the 7th of August when I head to Hong Kong before actually going to Shenzhen. No idea what to expect but pretty excited for the race/trip. Excited to be doing some travelling with few others. Race is a heat and final. As for the conditions, training here is pretty perfect as it is consistently above 30 and miserably humid. Luckily there is a summer school crew here plus the reliable Dan Lewis, although he’s tryna bail from mile repeats tomorrow morning, so there’s a few people to run and hang with.

Will be back with an update next week if all goes to plan.

Monday, July 25, 2011

Eamonn Coghlan's 1975 Interview in Track & Field News

Click here to see a PDF of the August 1975 interview with Eamonn Coghlan.

Here's a nice video homage to Coghlan's career:

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Dan Lewis Takes Kelly Twilight Mile


2010 Villanova grad Dan Lewis won the Kelly Twilight road mile Friday night in Staten Island, New York. He ran 4:24.4 in oppressive heat. Here's the story posted to SILive.com.

Large turnout faces the heat for Kelly Twilight Mile
George Hochman, Staten Island Live
Saturday, July 23, 2011, 10:02 AM

The oppressive heat made Friday night not the best for running.

But the opportunity to remember one of their own brought the Island running community out in strong numbers for the second annual Daniel Kelley Twilight Mile at St. Joseph by-the-Sea HS.

The mile races are held in honor of Kelley, the former Sea athlete and coach who died in January 2010 after being struck by an automobile during a training run.

Dan Lewis and Victoria Pontecorvo were the big race winners, utilizing similar strategies.

On a brutally hot day, with temperatures hovering around the triple digit mark, any thought of a fast early pace was out of the question.

Instead, the races turned into tactical affairs, with the winners turning on the burners during frantic last laps.

Pontecorvo, the Rutgers University junior, easily defended her title, running away from ex-Wagner College runner Samantha Snukis on the last lap to win in 5 minutes, 18.4 seconds.

Lewis, the former Monsignor Farrell and Villanova captain, pulled away from current Farrell junior Dan Galford on the last lap to win in 4:24.4.

Nearly 500 athletes competed in 12 races, with the Sea alumni races being taken by Alex Civitano and Rose Petrizzo.

In a touching tribute, the stands emptied after the last race, and everyone took a lap of honor around the track in memory of Kelley.

Daniel Kelley Twilight Miles

Elite Male

1.Dan Lewis 4:24.4
2.Dan Galford 4:27.4
3.Dan Zaccariello 4:27.8
4.Raul Avalos 4:37.8
5.Alex LoPresti 4:44.4

Elite Female

1.Victoria Pontecorvo 5:18.4
2.Samantha Snukis 5:30.2
3.Christina Melian 5:37.0
4.Jaclyn Masucci 5:46.7
5.Angelique DeMeo 5:56.1

Saturday, July 23, 2011

Rob Denault 6th at Pan Am Juniors 1500

Incoming freshman Rob Denault from Aurora, Ontario, Canada came 6th today in the 1500 at the Pan Am Juniors. As the times below reflect, the race turned into a slow sit-and-kick affair and both Denault and his Canadian teammate finished some 10 seconds off their PRs.

Event 18 Men 1500 Meter Run
=======================================================================
Pan Am Jr.: * 3:45.72 7/29/2005 Mike Woods, CAN
Name Age Team Finals Points
=======================================================================
Finals
1 Kaddurah, Omar 18 United State 3:52.29
2 Presson, Isaac 19 United State 3:52.78
3 Etchechury, Ioran 18 Brazil 3:53.29
4 Bruno, Federico 18 Argentina 3:53.94
5 Proudfoot, Ross 19 Canada 3:54.82
6 Denault, Robert 18 Canada 3:55.97
7 Diaz, Carlos 18 Chile 3:56.90
8 Rivera, Jerry 19 Puerto Rico 4:00.89
9 Rochester, Rogeek 19 Jamaica 4:04.48
10 Carey, James Audley 18 Bahamas 4:07.88
11 Vorswijk Jr., Rochini 16 Surinam 4:17.19

Friday, July 22, 2011

Blincoe's Gets Olympic & WC "A" Standard with 13:18.27


Adrian Blincoe's comeback from a series of injuries took another giant stride tonight in Barcelona, Spain as the former Villanova All-American and current assistant coach ran 13:18.27 and attained the qualifying "A" standard (13:20.00) for the 2011 World Championships and 2012 Olympic Games. He finished 10th in the race and was the first non-African finisher. His time sets a new season's best, coming in under the 13:24.82 he ran a week ago in Heusden, The Netherlands. Blincoe is the New Zealand national record holder at 5000 meters (13:10.19).

The leader's kilometer splits were:
1000: 2:37.29
2000: 2:38.09 (5:15.38)
3000: 2:32.69 (7:48.07)
4000: 2:33.67 (10:21.73)
5000: 2:37.59 (12:59.32)

Barcelona 5000 meters

1. TADESE Zersenay ERI 12:59.32
2. KIPNGETICH TANUI Paul KEN 13:04.65
3. KIPCHUMBA LONYANGOT Paul KEN 13:08.01
4. KIPLIMO Abraham UGA 13:10.40
5. KIPJUMBA MBISHEI Titus KEN 13:11.76
6. KUSURO Geoffrey UGA 13:12.32
7. KORIO Alex KEN 13:12.76
8. MESEL Amanuel ERI 13:16.25
9. MEDHIN Teklemariam ERI 13:16.53
10. BLINCOE Adrian NZL 13:18.27
11. ALVES VAS Francisco ESP 13:19.93
12. KIFLE Goitom ERI 13:23.07
13. SANCHEZ MARTINEZ Sergio ESP 13:24.59
14. MEUCCI Daniele ITA 13:24.94
15. CARRIQUEO Javier ARG 13:25.17
16. FIFA Illias MAR 13:25.55
17. McNEILL David AUS 13:29.37
18. KIBET Moses UGA 13:30.80
19. MARHOUM Mohamed ESP 13:36.92
20. DELILE Mohammed KEN 13:56.20
21. NURME Tiidrek EST 14:06.82
22. ESPANA COBO Francisco ESP 14:26.46
... GALAN BARBERA Ivan ESP DNF
... KITUR KIPLIMO Joseph KEN DNF
... KORIR Fredrick KEN DNF
... KOYUNCU Kemal TUR DNF
... LAKHOUAJA Driss ESP DNF
... SILVA Rui POR DNF
... LAHBABI Aziz MAR DNS

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Adrian Blincoe On Tap for Barcelona 5000 on Friday


After running a nice 13:24.82 in a steady rain in The Netherlands last weekend, Adrian Blincoe is hoping for better weather Friday evening in Barcelona. He'll be contesting the 5000 meters at the Ciutat de Barcelona at the city's Olympic stadium.

Start List: Barcelona 5000

Name YR SB PB
ZERSENAY TADESE 1982 ERI 12:59.27
AMANUEL MESEL 1990 ERI 13.22.71 13.22.71
ILLIAS FIFA 1989 MAR 13:39.70 13.39.70
TITUS KIPJUMBA MBISHEI 1990 KEN 13:14.85 13:00.04
TEKLEMARIAM MEDHIN 1989 ERI 13:27.51 13:04.55
JOSEPH KITUR KIPLIMO 1988 KEN 13:09.34 13:09.34
ADRIAN BLINCOE 1979 NZL 13:24.82 13:10.19
PAUL KIPNGETICH TANUI 1990 KEN 13:10.97 13:10.97
FRANCISCO JAVIER ALVES 1980 ESP 14:06.04 13:11.01
PAUL KIPCHUMBA LONYANGAT 1992 KEN 13:11.22 13:11.22
ALEX OLOITIPTIP KORIO 1990 KEN 13:12.18 13:12.18
AZIZ LAHBABI 1991 MAR 13:13.68 13:13.68
GEOFREY KUSURO 1989 UGA 13:14.02 13:14.02
ABRAHAM KIPLIMO 1989 UGA 13:14.33 13:14.33
MOSES KIBET 1991 UGA 13:15.18 13:15.18
RUI SILVA 1977 POR 13:25.94 13:19.20
DANIELE MEUCCI 1985 ITA 14:03.19 13:24.38
DAVID McNEILL 1986 AUS 13:44.04 13:25.63
TIIDREK NURME 1985 EST 13:37.08 13:31.87
KEMAL KOYUNCU 1985 TUR 13:35.72
GOITOM KIFLE 1993 ERI 14:08.36 13:44.26
IVAN GALAN 1979 ESP 14:06.47 13:46.05
YITAYAL ATNAFU 1993 ETH 13:46.47 13:46.47
MOHAMED MARHOUM 1987 ESP 13:46.70 13:46.70
FRANCISCO ESPAÑA 1984 ESP 13:47.66
DRISS LAKHOUAJA 1972 ESP 14:03.02 13:51.13
MOHAMMED DELILE KEN
FREDRICK KORIR KEN 1980 KEN

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Rhines Stays Sharp with Crisp 15:17.83 in Lignano


Jen Rhines ran her fourth 5000 meter race of the outdoor season tonight in Lignano, Italy and posted her second fastest time of the campaign. Jen finished second to fellow American Liz Maloy, coming home in 15:17.83. As the results below show, the runners got very well strung out as the race developed. Maloy and Rhines ran away from the rest of the competitors and were the only two with a chance to win the race. Amy Hastings was in "no man's land" on an island by herself in third.

Amy Hastings and Angela Bizzarri, who finished second and third, respectively, at the USA Nationals 5000, are in Europe chasing the World Championships "A" standard (15:14.00)-- both have the "B" standard (15:25.00) and Bizzarri will be unable to compete at Worlds unless either she or Hastings achieves the "A" standard. Both Hastings and Bizzarri were off form tonight, finishing well back and far removed from the 15:14.00 "A" standard. Jen Rhines, who finished fourth in the 5000 at the USA meet, also has the "B" standard, with her 15:14.88 in Hengelo being her season's best. Only one "B" standard athlete per country may compete in each event at Worlds. If Hastings gets the "A" standard by August 8th, then the USA team will be the top 3 finishers at the USA meet last month: Molly Huddle, Amy Hastings, and Angela Bizzarri. If neither Hastings nor Bizzarri nor Rhines get the "A", then only Huddle and Hastings will compete at Worlds in the 5000. Rhines has the "A" standard in the 10,000 and made Team USA for Worlds at that distance. If Jen were to run under 15:14 in the next two weeks, and assuming that Bizzarri fails to do so, Jen might be eligible to compete at Worlds in the 5000 as well.


Lignano 5000 meters
1. MALOY Elizabeth USA 15:15.34
2. RHINES Jen USA 15:17.83
3. HASTINGS Amy USA 15:29.84
4. CULLEY Julie USA 15:43.59
5. ANDERSON Gabriele USA 15:45.99
6. BIRCA Roxana ROU 15:48.92
7. BRACY Addie USA 15:49.24
8. FOLLETT Katie USA 15:50.01
9. VAN DALEN Holly NZL 15:52.35
10. BIZZARRI Angela USA 16:10.76
11. ARESON Jackie USA 16:32.98
LAMAR Annick USA DNF
GRACE Allison USA DNF
MUNCAN Marina SRB DNF
BEGLEY Amy USA DNS

Leader's splits were:
1000: 3.03.2 (3:03.2)
2000: 3:05.8 (6.09.0)
3000: 2:59.1 (9.08.1)
4000: 3:07.0 (12.15.1)
5000: 3:00.2 (15:15.3)


Jen's 5000 track races this season so far are:

5/29 Hengelo 15:14.88 (SB)
6/25 USATF Nationals 15:19.12
7/8 Paris Diamond League 15:30.97
7/19 Lignano 15:17.83

Jen Rhines in Sport Solidarieta Lignano 5000 on Tuesday


Later today Jen Rhines will get back in action in Lignano, Italy by competing in the 5000 meters at the 19th Annual Meeting Sports Solidarieta. Jen is already qualified in the 10,000 for Team USA at the IAAF World Championships later this summer (the USA 10,000 trio is shown above). She also finished 4th at the USATF championships over 5000 meters. Here's the start list, with each runner's season best time listed.

Note as well that Marina Muncan is on the list, most probably to serve as a rabbit for the field.


Lignano 5000 Start List
HASTINGS Amy 1984 USA 15:14.31
RHINES Jen 1974 USA 15:14.88
BIZZARRI Angela 1988 USA 15:16.04
MALOY Elizabeth 1985 USA 15:19.87
CULLEY Julie 1991 USA 15:21.18
FOLLETT Katie 1987 USA 15:37.84
VAN DALEN Holly 1988 NZL 15:44.75
BEGLEY Amy 1978 USA 15:52.66
GRACE Allison 1982 USA 15:52.93
BRACY Addie 1986 USA 16:01.36
BIRCA Roxana 1988 ROM 16:02.20
LAMAR Annick 1985 USA nt
VAN DALEN Lucy 1988 NZL nt
WRIGHT Megan 1973 GBR nt
MUNCAN Marina 1982 SRB nt

Monday, July 18, 2011

Long Jumper John Buckley Inducted into Delco Hall of Fame


John Buckley, third on the all-time Villanova long jump list at 25' 6.5", has been inducted into the Delaware Country chapter of the Pennsylvania Hall of Fame. Buckley won the IC4A long jump championship three consecutive years: in 1958 (25' 6.5"), 1959 (25' 0.75"), and 1960 (23' 9.75). Buckley (pictured above, second row, far right) finished 4th at the NCAA championships in 1959, jumping 24' 5".

Buckley, a St. James High athlete, competed on track teams coached by the legendary Jumbo Elliott at Villanova University.

“He was tough, but he was a great leader,” Buckley said. “My event (long jump) was the first one in the meet, so he let me know he expected me to get us a win in that first event whenever we competed.”

“The nicest thing about being honored like this is that so many family members I haven’t seen in many years came home,” he said. “I’ve really been enjoying our family reunion.”

Sunday, July 17, 2011

Muncan 12th in 4:17.99 at Citti di Padova 1500


Marina Muncan ran 4:17.99 today in Italy, well off the pace of the race (which was won in 4:08.09 by Alice Schmidt), and well off the expectations raised by her recent 2:03 800 meter result.


1500m Women
Final Euganeo Stadium - 17 July 2011 - Start Time: 21:23

Pos. Athlete Year COUNTRY Mark
1 SCHMIDT Alice 1981 USA 4:08.09 (PB)
2 TRENIERE Clement 1981 USA 4:09.04
3 EMORE Malindi 1980 CAN 4:09.71
4 ANDERSON Gabr 1986 USA 4:10.15 (PB)
5 FELNAGLE Brie 1986 USA 4:10.48
6 VAN DALEN Lucy 1988 NZL 4:11.59 (PB)
7 FOLLET Katie 1987 USA 4:11.95
8 KAMPF Ether 1987 USA 4:12.09 (PB)
9 VARGA Judit 1976 ITA 4:17.50
10 BÂRCA Roxana 1988 ROU 4:17.83 (PB)
11 VESSEY Maggie 1981 USA 4:17.87 (PB)
12 MUNCAN Marina 1982 SRB 4:17.99
13 BROWN Stephanie 1991 USA 4:25.81
14 BERLANDA Ele 1976 ITA 4:26.32
15 MARTINEZ Brenda 1987 USA 4:28.50
LAMAR Annick 1985 USA DNF
RINICELLA Angie 1982 ITA DNF

Saturday, July 16, 2011

Muncan in Sunday's Italian Citta di Padova 1500 (Start List)


Marina Muncan, fresh off her fast (2:03.48) 800 meters in Sardinia on Wednesday, will contest the 1500 at the Citti di Padova meeting on Sunday. Padova is about 20 miles west of Venice in northeastern Italy. Here's the start list, which contains many names familiar to the North American circuit.

Women's 1500 meters -- Start List (SB)

BÂRCA Roxana Elisabeta 1988 ROU (-------)
FOLLET Katie 1987 USA (4:07.44)
TRENIERE Clement Moser 1981 USA (4:07.57)
EMORE Malindi 1980 CAN (4:07.86)
SCHMIDT Alice 1981 USA (4:09.85)
FELNAGLE Brianna 1986 USA (4:09.95)
MARTINEZ Brenda 1987 USA (4:10.77)
ANDERSON Gabrielle 1986 USA (4:12.02)
VAN DALEN Lucy 1988 NZL (4:14.21)
LAMAR Annick 1985 USA (4:14.36)
MUNCAN Marina 1982 SRB (4:14.97)
KAMPF Ether 1987 USA (4:15.11)
BROWN Stephanie 1991 USA (4:17.21)
VARGA Judit 1976 ITA (4:20.34)
BERLANDA Eleonora 1976 ITA (4:20.43)
VESSEY Maggie 1981 USA (4:30.00)

Video of Heusden 5000 (Blincoe 7th in 13:24.82)

Blincoe's 13:24.82 Lands 7th in Loaded Heusden 5000


Nicely done for Adrian Blincoe this evening at the KBC Night of Athletics in Heusden, The Netherlands. In a deep and talented field, in rather poor weather that slowed the pace, and testing an injured knee that forced him to his back in the midst of last weekend's Birmingham 5000, Blincoe ran a very solid 13:24.82, coming home in the first chase pack. His time already puts him ahead of last year's SB of 13:26.10 set in Melbourne.

By all accounts, the knee injury from Birmingham is not too serious. The race video will be posted when it becomes available.



1. ROP ALBERT KEN 13:10.37
2. BETT DAVID KEN 13:13.66
3. KIPLIMO ABRAHAM KEN 13:14.33
4. KIBET MOSES UGA 13:15.18
5. BUMBALOUGH ANDREW USA 13:21.55
6. YATOR PHILEMON KEN 13:23.09
7. BLINCOE ADRIAN NZL 13:24.82
8. TASAMA DAME ETH 13:31.07
9. BETHKE BRANDON USA 13:32.78
10. GELANT ELROY RSA 13:33.45
11. O'LIONAIRD CIARAN IRL 13:33.64
12. CHERUIYOT JUSTINE KEN 13:34.84
13. BIWOTT YUSUF KEN 13:35.80
14. BORREGO DIEGO ALB MEX 13:39.71
15. GABIUS ARNE GER 13:41.98
16. LA ROSA STEFANO ITA 13:47.02
17. NELSON TIM USA 13:47.94
18. MZAZI GLADWIN RSA 13:49.79
19. MCLEOD RYAN GBR 13:50.42
20. MANORA GERT RSA 14:12.65
DNF VAIL RYAN USA DNF
DNF SILVA RUI POR DNF
DNF ROBERTSON JAKE NZL DNF
DNF KIMUTAI PHILEMON KEN PACE
DNF MCNAMARA JORDAN USA PACE

Friday, July 15, 2011

Blincoe in Dutch 5000 at Heusden KBC Night of Athletics


Adrian Blincoe, questionable knee and all, is on the start list for the top 5000 race at Saturday's meet in Heusden, The Netherlands.

5000m Men A Start List
BETHKE BRANDON USA 1987
BETT DAVID KEN 1992
BIWOTT YUSUF KEN 1986
BLINCOE ADRIAN NZL 1979
BORREGO DIEGO ALBERTO MEX 1988
BUMBALOUGH ANDREW USA 1987
CHERUIYOT JUSTINE KEN 1993
CHOUKOUD KHALID NED 1986
CRAGG ALISTAIR IRE 1990
GELANT ELROY RSA 1986
KIBET MOSES UGA 1991
KIMUTAI PHILEMON KEN 1983
KIPLIMO ABRAHAM UGA 1989
LA ROSA STEFANO ITA 1985
MANORA GERT RSA 1984
MCLEOD RYAN GBR 1985
MCNAMARA JORDAN USA 1977
MZAZI GLADWIN RSA 1988
NELSON TIM USA 1984
O'LIONARD CIARAN IRL 1988
ROP ALBERT KEN 1992
SILVA RUI POR 1977
TASAMA DAME ETH 1987
TRUE BEN USA 1985
VAIL RYAN USA 1986
WEERTS JEAN PIERRE BEL 1986
YATOR PHILOMON KEN 1992

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Marina Muncan's 2:03.48 Good for 3rd at Italian 800


Marina Muncan ran her second fastest 800 meter race ever yesterday in Italy. Her PR over 800 meters (set in July 2009) is 2:02.86 and Muncan ran a very brisk 2:03.48 at the Paolo Delogu Memorial meet on Sardinia in Dorgali, Italy. A 10-time All-American while at Villanova, Muncan is the Serbian national record holder at 1500 meters (4:08.06) and the mile (4:31.84).


Women's 800
1. KAMPF, Heather 1987 USA 2:01.96
2. MARTINEZ, Brenda 1987 USA 2:03.27
3. MUNCAN, Marina 1982 SRB 2:03.48
4. BUCKMAN, Zoe 1988 AUS 2:03.72
5. JANUSZEWSKI, Laura 1986 USA 2:03.72
6. ARTUSO, Elisabetta 1974 ITA 2:06.51
7. INNOCENTI, Giulia 1989 ITA 2:16.44

Reid Gets Bowerman Snub -- Fails to Make Final Troika


The Bowerman Award is presented to the most outstanding track or field athlete, based on performance during the athlete's indoor and outdoor season. Despite winning three NCAA titles (1500 and 5000 outdoors, and anchoring the DMR indoors) and finishing second in a fourth NCAA final (3000 meters indoors, where she trailed the winner by less than 1/5th of a second), Villanova's Sheila Reid was left off the list of three finalists. Since the USTFCCCA statement below cites the finalists' post-NCAA efforts at the USATF championships (which are not officially part of the NCAA-based Bowerman criteria), it is worth noting that Reid herself also enjoyed post-NCAA "professional" success: in June she returned to her native Canada and won the national title in the 1500, defeating two World Championship "A" standard PR runners. Counting her NCAA Cross Country individual title in November, over a six-month period, Reid won three NCAA individual titles, one national (Canadian) individual title, two NCAA team/relay titles, and an NCAA runner-up medal. Not good enough, however, to become a Bowerman finalist. Such is the quality of the achievements of these three women.

Here is the press release from the USTFCCCA. For more details, click the title of this post to go to the USTFCCCA website.:

Women's Finalists for The Bowerman are Beard, Duncan, Sutej

July 14, 2011

NEW ORLEANS – The Bowerman Advisory Board in conjunction with the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) announced on Thursday the three women’s finalists for the highest honor given to collegiate track & field student-athletes – The Bowerman. Representing the best in collegiate track & field during the 2011 seasons, the finalists are Texas A&M senior Jessica Beard, LSU sophomore Kimberlyn Duncan, and Arkansas junior Tina Sutej.

Finalists were chosen by the ten-person Bowerman Advisory Board based on performances recorded during the indoor and outdoor 2011 track & field seasons. Only performances through the conclusion of the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships are used in consideration.

The award, in its third year of existence, will be presented in a ceremony at the USTFCCCA Convention on December 14 at the JW Marriott Hill Country, San Antonio, Texas. John Anderson, ESPN SportsCenter anchor and co-host of ABC’s Wipeout, will host the evening’s festivities for the second-straight year. The men’s finalists are Jeshua Anderson (Washington State), Ngoni Makusha (Florida State), and Christian Taylor (Florida).

Women’s Finalists for The Bowerman are Beard, Duncan, Sutej

July 14, 2011

NEW ORLEANS – The Bowerman Advisory Board in conjunction with the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) announced on Thursday the three women’s finalists for the highest honor given to collegiate track & field student-athletes – The Bowerman. Representing the best in collegiate track & field during the 2011 seasons, the finalists are Texas A&M senior Jessica Beard, LSU sophomore Kimberlyn Duncan, and Arkansas junior Tina Sutej.

Finalists were chosen by the ten-person Bowerman Advisory Board based on performances recorded during the indoor and outdoor 2011 track & field seasons. Only performances through the conclusion of the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships are used in consideration.

The award, in its third year of existence, will be presented in a ceremony at the USTFCCCA Convention on December 14 at the JW Marriott Hill Country, San Antonio, Texas. John Anderson, ESPN SportsCenter anchor and co-host of ABC’s Wipeout, will host the evening’s festivities for the second-straight year. The men’s finalists are Jeshua Anderson (Washington State), Ngoni Makusha (Florida State), and Christian Taylor (Florida)


THE BOWERMAN FINALISTS, 2011 WOMEN

Jessica Beard, Texas A&M
Senior, Sprints, Euclid, Ohio (Euclid HS)

Beard became the just the third female in NCAA Division I history, and first since 1999, to win both 400 national titles in the same year and run on both winning 4×400 relays at the NCAA Indoor and NCAA Outdoor Championships. Beard, a four-time Big 12 indoor 400-meter champ, recorded the world’s fastest time over the 400-meter distance indoors with a 50.79 clocking to win the national crown. Outdoors, Beard clocked 51.10 for the NCAA win and split 49.13 for the Aggies as anchor of the NCAA-winning 4×400 relay.

At the USATF Championships (not considered part of the collegiate season), Beard placed fourth in the 400 meters, running a season’s best 51.06 in the national final.

Beard joins Porscha Lucas (2009) as Aggies that have been named Bowerman finalists. The Big 12 has been represented by at least one women’s finalist in each of the three years of the award.


Kimberlyn Duncan, LSU
Sophomore, Sprints, Katy, Texas (Cypress Springs HS)

Duncan swept the NCAA’s 200-meter titles in 2011 and, in both seasons, notched world-leading times. Duncan became the sixth woman in NCAA Division I history and the first since Auburn’s Kerron Stewart in 2007 to sweep 200-meter titles in the same season. Indoors, Duncan won the SEC title in 22.78 for the world’s best time of the season. Outdoors, Duncan was undefeated in the 200 meters and clocked a low-altitude all-time collegiate best (and the third-best overall) with a 22.24 run. Duncan was also the NCAA’s 100-meter runner-up and anchored the Lady Tigers to an NCAA title in the 4×100 (42.64).

At the USATF Championships (not considered part of the collegiate season), Duncan placed fifth in the 200 meters, clocking a 22.35 in the event’s final.

Duncan is the first from LSU to be named a Bowerman finalist. Duncan, Sutej, and men’s finalist Christian Taylor compose the first class of SEC athletes to be a finalist for The Bowerman.


Tina Šutej, Arkansas
Junior, Pole Vault, Ljubljana, Slovenia (Gimnazija Bezigrad)

Sutej set new collegiate records with the pole vault both indoors and outdoors in 2011. Indoors, Sutej would reach a best of 14-10¾ (4.54m) to set the new all-time collegiate best in winning the SEC crown and would go on to win the NCAA title. Outdoors, Sutej again won the SEC league title with a collegiate-record vault – a clearance of 15-1½ (4.61m). Overall, Sutej collected 13-straight meet victories before finishing runner-up at the NCAA outdoor meet where she tied the championship-meet record with Oregon’s Melissa Gergel who took the crown on virtue of misses.

Sutej is the first Arkansas athlete to be a finalist for The Bowerman.

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Frances Koons 7th (4:19.38) at Toronto International 1500





Event 14 Women 1500 Meter Run Invitational
=======================================================================
Name Team Finals
=======================================================================
Finals
1 Van Buskirk, Kate Canada 4:13.51
2 Reilly, Stephanie Ireland 4:14.37
3 Conley, Kim USA 4:15.63
4 Howard, Julia Canada 4:16.09
5 Hamric, Karly Canada 4:16.13
6 Buchanan, Dana Canada 4:16.29
7 Koons, Francis USA 4:19.38
8 Korir, Tarah Canada 4:22.62
9 MacGregor, Meredith Canada 4:25.67
10 Cliff, Rachel Canada 4:31.82
11 Gollish, Sasha Canada 4:34.05
-- Frost, Nadine Canada DNF

Blincoe to Test Knee at Friday's German Bottrop Gala 1500?


Adrian Blincoe DNF'd at the Aviva Birmingham 5000 meters after he injured his knee when he was clipped from behind at the two-mile mark in the race. Evidently the knee injury is not serious, as Blincoe appears on the 1500 meter start list at Friday's meet in Bottrop, Germany. Let's see if Adrian actually toes the line on this one or if he knee needs more time to mend itself.


Name Country Birth PR SB

IGUIDER, ABDALAATI MAR 1987 3:31.47 3:33.50
BENSGHIR, YASSINE MAR 1983 3:33.04 3:36.25
BADDALEY, ANDY GBR 1982 3:34.36 3:36.47
ALEMAYEHU, ZEBENE ETH 1992 3:34.59 3:34.59
FIDA JANA, SORESA ETH 1993 3:34.72 3:34.72
BLINCOE, ADRIAN NZL 1979 3:35.50 3:38.48
BENSGHIR, MOHAMED MAR 1991 3:35.76 3:36.60
YOUCEF, ABDI AUS 1977 3:36.35 3:43.95
WALDMANN, MORITZ GER 1985 3:36.97 3:46.71
ROWE, BRENTON AUS 1987 3:39.68 3:40.67
CARSON, HAMISH NZL 1988 3:40.52 3:40.52
NIPPERESS, JAMES AUS 1990 3:41.03 3:43.21
PRAETORIUS, SVEN GER 1985 3:44.28 3:45.68
SCHWARZ, RICO GER 1988 3:44.56 3:44.56
SPERLICH, MARTIN GER 1991 3:45.48 3:45.48
RASSIOUI, BADR MAR 1986 PACE 3:37.40
YIDAO, YILMA ETH 1990 PACE

Here's a preview of the meet:

BOTTROP (GER): Bottrop Gala will have its fifth edition this Friday. Moroccan olympic medalist Hasna Benhassi against her team-mate Halima Hachlaf at the 800 m will be one of the highlights of the event. Tatooed German Janin Lindenberg will test her shape in the 200 m against US sub 23 runners Tiffayn Townsend and Charonda Williams. In men 100 m strong field with US Rae Edwards, Zambian record holder and NCAA standout Gerald Phiri, world medalist from 200 m Alonso Edward of Panama and Briton Marlon Devonish. Moroccan Abdelaati Iguider leads strong 1500 start list with Briton Andy Baddeley and Adrian Blincoe of New Zealand. US trio Ty Akins, Jeff Porter and Dominic Berger are to be considered favorites for 110 m hurdles. South African world junior champion Luvo Manyonga is the long jump headliner with Mohamed Al-Kuwailidi of Saudi Arabia, Lithuanian record holder Povilas Mykolaitis and Czech olympic finalist Roman Novotny. US Nicole Denby is the top name at 100 m hurdles. World junior record holder Birtukan Adamu is the top name of strong women steeple and US Briana Glenn is the one to watch in women long jump. US Daegu bound duo Kara Patterson and Rachel Yurkovich along with home Katharina Molitor are javelin favorites.

UPDATE: BLINCOE SKIPPED THE BOTTROP 1500 ON FRIDAY TO RUN THE 5000 AT HEUSDEN'S KBC NIGHT OF ATHLETICS ON SATURDAY (WHERE HE RAN A SOLID 13:24 TO FINISH 7TH).

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Future Cat Rob Denault Takes Canadian Junior 1500 Crown

Rob Denault captured the men’s 1,500 metres title in a tight finish at the Canadian junior track and field championships held this past weekend in Winnipeg, Manitoba. In a very slow tactical race that saw the top two finishers run 20 seconds off their PRs, Villanova signee Rob Denault, who was in 4th at the bell and who was boxed in on the rail until about 80 meters from the line, swung wide and passed Ross Proudfoot in the final meters of the race.

The Aurora resident and member of the Newmarket Huskies Track Club crossed the finish line in 4:05.01 seconds to nose out Track North Athletic Club rival Ross Proudfoot (4:05.15) for the title.

The victory enabled Denault, who will attend Villanova University on a scholarship in the fall, to claim a berth in the upcoming Pan American Junior Championships to be held in Miramar, Florida from July 22 to 24.

Here's the race video:

Celeste Halliday's Daughter Making a Name for Herself



Celeste Halliday, a former Villanova All-American (both academically and on the track), was part of the Wildcats' national record DMR squad (she ran the 800 leg in 2:04.7 that day) and winner of 3 Penn Relays Championship of America watches, can be proud of the accomplishments of her daughter Sydnee Over. Over is emerging as a top national sprinter after only two years of high school, and will surely be the focus of an intense recruiting battle when it comes time to decide on her college career. Here's a profile from the Hartford Courant.

Windsor's Sydnee Over is Special Sophomore

Stephen Dunn, Hartford Courant

July 08, 2011


SYDNEE OVER, Windsor

CLASS: Sophomore

EVENTS: 400, 800, 4x400 relay

COACH: Ron Wilson

ACCOMPLISHMENTS: When the times were posted she was the fourth fastest time in the country for a high school runner in the 400 twice, once at the Lindy Remigino Invitational (53.97 seconds) and once at the State Open (53.62), but finished second both times to Hillhouse-New Haven's Precious Holmes. … Helped her 4x400 team set a State Open record (3:49.59) and also helped the 4x800 team win a State Open title. … Won the 400 and ran on the winning 4x400 and the 4x800 relays to help Windsor win its second consecutive Class L championship. … Finished fourth in the 400 at the New Balance Outdoor Championships (53.69). … Ran a 2:11.38 in the junior 800 meters at the USATF National Championships but did not qualify for the finals.

OVER SAID: "I think overall, personally, I had a good season. I was proud of the times I ran, even if I couldn't win my State Open medal again. I was proud of our team to come up with another Class L title. We all ran really well this season and competed to the best of our abilities."

WILSON SAID: "I thought she had an outstanding season. If you finished fourth in the nation [with her time of 53.62 in the 400], I don't think you can be disappointed with your season. That's an incredible time."

UP NEXT: Over will take a break from running for a month, but start to focus on cross country at the beginning of August. Would like to try to qualify for the Olympic Trials next year, possibly in the 800.

IN 10 YEARS: "I would love to run professionally."

MISCELLANEOUS: Also runs cross country and plays basketball, which she has played since third grade. … Started running at age 9 and still holds the state Hershey Track Meet record for the 200 meters for 9-10 year olds. …Mother Celeste Halliday-Over was an Olympic alternate in the 800 meters in 1992, a bronze medalist at the Pan Am Games in Cuba and an All-American at Villanova. … Older brother Devin will be playing baseball at UConn. … Enjoys art, especially sculpture.

Monday, July 11, 2011

Frances Koons on Tap for Wednesday's Toronto 1500

Frances Koons is on the start list for the 1500 meter race at Wednesday's Toronto International Track & Field Games. Koons' race starts at 8:50 p.m. The start list looks like this:



Women's 1500m

Dana Buchanan- Canada

Rachel Cliff- Canada

Frances Koons- USA
Tarah Korir-Canada

Lauren Hagans- USA

Julia Howard- Canada

Stephanie Reilly- Ireland

Nicole Siffuentes- Canada

Kate Van Buskirk- Canada
Lea Wallace-USA

Karley Hamric-USA
Kim Conley-USA

Meredith MacGregor-Canada

Pace- Nadine Frost - Canada

Sunday, July 10, 2011

Marina Muncan 4th in 4:14.97 at Flanders Cup 1500 in Belgium



Marina Muncan's first race in Europe this season saw her finish 4th in 4:14.97. The time is a 2.6-second improvement on the 4:17.57 she ran on June 11th in New York.


Women's 1500

1. MALOY Elizabeth (USA) 4:13.76
2. VAN DALEN Lucy (NZL) 4:14.21
3. ANDERSON Gabriele (USA) 4:14.54
4. MUNCAN Marina (SER) 4:14.97
5. NEWBOULD Hannah (NZL) 4:15.64
6. LAMAR Annick (USA) 4:18.01
7. KREBS Denise (GER) 4:19.61
8. GREENE Rebekah (NZL) 4:21.80
9. CULLEY Julie (USA) 4:22.55
10. SMIT Angela (NZL) 4:24.37
11. ARESON Jackie (USA) 4:24.39
12. MORGAN Allison Grace (USA) 4:24.79
13. PRUVOST Fanny (FRA) 4:25.22
14. TE RAA Marye (NED) 4:26.32
15. VANGANSBEKE ZENOBIE (KAAG) 4:29.53
HOFSTADE Helen (NED) DNF
JANUSWEWSKI Laura (USA) DNF
CLARKE Georgie (AUS) DNF
MARTINEZ Brenda (USA) DNF

Schappert 2nd, Koons 3rd at Halifax 1500

Tonight at the Alienn Meagher Track Classic in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Nicole Schappert was 2nd in 4:18.70 and Frances Koons third in 4:19.96. Schappert was 1 second off her 1500 PR, while Koons was almost 7 seconds off her 4:13.34 PR. Here are the complete results:

Women 1500 Meter Run

1.Howard, Julia Canada 4:17.29
2.Schappert, Nicole Team USA 4:18.70
3.Koons, Frances Team USA 4:19.96
4.Gollish, Sasha Canada 4:28.02
5.Frost, Nadia Canada 4:28.05
6.Cliff, Rachel Canada 4.29.54
7.Wyman, Jillian Canada 4:33.63
8.Crawley, Rachel Canada 4:42.04
9.Rawding, Hilary Canada 4:45.95
10.Manuel, Lynette Canada 5:41.05
--Frost, Lydia Canada DNF
--Jewett, Tamara Canada DNF

Blincoe & Curtis DNF in Birmingham 5000



The video above shows the final 3000 of the Birmingham 5000. At about the two-mile mark, Blincoe was clipped from behind and tweaked his knee -- not sure how serious the issue might be, but Blincoe went down on his back on the track, seemingly in real pain. The race video shows perhaps 3 or 4 instances of bumping, shoving, and runners being knocked off stride. Bobby Curtis's, who was a bit detached from the lead group, dropped out at the 10:00 mark of the race, seemingly without incident.

1. FARAH Mohammed (GBR)13:06.14
2. RUPP Galen (USA) 13:06.86 PB
3. MERGA Imane (ETH) 13:07.63
4. ALAMIREW Yenew (ETH) 13:08.78
5. ESPANA Jesús (ESP) 13:10.19 PB
6. MOTTRAM Craig (AUS) 13:11.51 SB
7. KUMA Abera (ETH) 13:12.36
8. BIRMINGHAM Collis (AUS) 13:15.70 SB
9. CRAGG Alistair Ian (IRL) 13:16.80
10. GALA Mumin (DJI) 13:17.77 NR
11. MOEN Sondre Nordstad (NOR) 13:30.22 PB
12. BURAAS Sindre (NOR) 13:37.71
13. VERNON Andy (GBR) 13:41.02
BLINCOE Adrian (NZL) DNF
CURTIS Bobby (USA) DNF
KRUMMENACKER David (USA) DNF (Pace)

splits
1000m
Krummenacker, David (USA) 2:36.75

2000m
Kuma, Abera (ETH) 5:17.79

3000m
Merga, Imane (ETH) 8:00.76

4000m
Birmingham, Collis (AUS) 10:41.45

Friday, July 8, 2011

Coghlan a Narrow Miss for Sub-4:00 Mile in Dublin: 4:00.79


John Coghlan, son of Villanova legend Eamonn Coghlan, narrowly missed joining his father as a sub-4:00 miler tonight in Dublin. He finished 9th in the Morton Mile in 4:00.79. The time is a major new PR for Coghlan and provides more evidence of the significant improvements he's made over the past year. If he accomplishes this feat, the Coghlans would be the first Irish father-son duo to break the 4:00 barrier.

Here's a blurb from the BBC about the race:

Emerging Irish athlete Ciaran O'Lionaird broke the four-minute barrier for the first time as he finished an excellent third in an exciting Morton Mile.

O'Lionaird clocked 3:57.99 after leading at the bell with US athlete Jordan McNamara winning in 3:56.82.

Kildare man Paul Robinson was also under four minutes for the first time as he clocked 3:59.99 to finish seventh while John Coghlan, son of 1983 World 5,000m champion Eamonn Coghlan, was ninth in 4:00.79.


The only three USA father-son sub-4:00 miler duos (with their initial sub-4:00 mile time listed) are:

3:58.8 Barry Brown 05/13/72
3:59.99 Darren Brown 04/05/2003

3:59.2 Matt Centrowitz 05/24/75
3:57.92 Matt Centrowitz, Jr. 02/14/09

3:58.7 Sam Bair 06/23/67
3:59.72 Sam Bair, Jr. 02/13/10


Another one (with a slight Villanova connection) is:

3:54.16 Kip Keino 08/30/65
3:58.73 Martin Keino 06/04/94

Jen Rhines 15:30.97 at Paris Diamond League 5000


Jen Rhines was a late addition to the 5000 tonight in Paris. The race went extremely fast, with Ethiopia's Meseret Defar winning in a 2011 world low 14:29.52. USA's Shalane Flanagan came 4th in a fast 14:45.20 (a mere .44 seconds off the American Record held by Molly Huddle). Jen Rhines, who was 3rd in the 10,000 and 4th over 5000 meters at the USA Championships, finished 12th, in 15:30.97 (about 12 seconds slower than her time at the USA Championships two weeks ago). Jen will represent the USA in the 10,000 at the World Championships later this summer.

5000 Metres - Women

1 Defar , Meseret ETH 14:29.52
2 Ejigu , Sentayehu ETH 14:31.66
3 Cherono , Mercy KEN 14:35.13
4 Flanagan , Shalane USA 14:45.20
5 Checa , Dolores ESP 14:46.89
6 Utura , Sule ETH 14:56.05
7 Ayalew , Hiwot ETH 14:57.62
8 Anteneh , Emebet ETH 14:57.66
9 Gebru , Azemra ETH 14:58.34
10 Hastings , Amy USA 15:15.30
11 Yalew , Genet ETH 15:15.67
12 Rhines , Jennifer USA 15:30.97
Félix , Ana Dulce POR DNF
Dibaba , Genzebe ETH DNF
Wangari , Milly Mureithi KEN DNF

Schappert & Koons in Halifax 1500 this Sunday


Two recent Villanova milers are entered in the Aileen Meagher International Track Classic this Sunday in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Nicole Schappert & Frances Koons, both running under former Georgetown coach Frank Gagliano at the New Jersey-New York Track Club, carry into the race the best PRs but face strong competition from several Canadian runners. The race is scheduled for 8:35 pm on Sunday, July 10.

Also at the meet, Canadian Allan Brett, who ran at Villanova during the 2006-2007 campaign before transferring to the University of Guelph, will contest the 1500 meters. He carries a 3:47.63 PR into the meet.

Joining Koons and Schappert on the NJ-NY Track club are former Villanovans Sean Tully and Marina Muncan and eleven other top-level post-collegiate athletes. To visit the team's website, click the title of this post.


Women's 1500m Start List, with Seed Time

1 Koons, Frances Senior USA 4:12.60
2 Schappert, Nicole Senior USA 4:15.10
3 Howard, Julia Senior CANA 4:18.01
4 Cliff, Rachel Senior UNA 4:18.45
5 Wyman, Jillian Senior UNAT 4:25.50
6 Jewett, Tamara Senior CANA 4:28.51
7 Frost, Nadia Senior CANA 4:28.85
8 Frost, Lydia Senior CANA 4:31.17
9 Gollish, Sasha Senior UTTC 4:36.99
10 Rawding, Hilary Senior ATE 4:49.05
11 Crawley, Rachel Senior YHZ 4:49.85
12 Manuel, Lynette Senior MOTL 5:01.18

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

John Coghlan Looking for Father-Son Double


Several years ago Eamonn Coghlan's son John was on the recruiting radar of the "normal suspects" in the USA: Villanova, Providence, Iona (all of which schools had Irish track coaches: Marcus O'Sullivan at Villanova, Ray Treacy at Providence, amd Mick Byrne -- now at Wisconsin -- at Iona). He had won the All-Ireland Schools cross country title in 2007, won the Schools and Junior 1500 titles, and was routinely among the top finishers at the Junior level. Coghlan's times as a 1500/5000/XC runner were good enough to generate some interest, but not good enough to garner the kind of offers that would make his decision to stay in Ireland or jump to the States an easy one. In the event, John Coghlan opted to stay home, attend Dublin City University (DCU), and to pursue his running career in his home country. He has done so to good effect: he won the U-23 Irish title at 1500 meters in 2010, was 5th at the Irish Senior Cross Country championships in 2010, and was a member of the Irish U-23 cross country team that recently won Gold at the European cross country championships. John's recent track times for 1500 meters have come down to the 3:46 range (essentially a 4:04 mile), and many are wondering if he can join his father Eamonn as a sub-4:00 miler. Here's a story from today's Herald that speaks to the issue.

Coghlan chases mile holy grail

Herald.ie
By Lindie Naughton

Wednesday, July 06 2011

A number of young Irish athletes will line out in the Morton Mile at Friday's Clonliffe 125 Track and Field Grand Prix (7.0).

For all, the target is a sub-four minute time, still the Holy Grail of middle distance running, although the distance is rarely run in these metric days.

Leading a strong group of middle-distance specialists from the US, Australia and the UK is Jack Bolas, the American with a 3:37.64 1500m time, who was runner-up last year.

Two-time Olympian Alistair Cragg had hoped to lead the Irish entry, but is doubtful after dropping out of a 5000m last week with a sinus infection.

Former European Junior 1500m winner Colin Costello is entered along with Paul Robinson, holder of the Irish junior mile record at 4:00.93, Ciarán O'Lionaird and John Coghlan. If Coghlan (pictured) can break four minutes, he will follow in the footsteps of dad Eamonn, still the second-fastest [by 1/100 of a second, behind NR holder Ray Flynn -- BC] Irishman ever over the distance.

Shaping up to be a thriller is the 3000m, with the entry of 30 led by Irish cross-country champion Joe Sweeney of DSD. Mark Kenneally and Sergiu Ciobanu run for the host club.

After his winter in Florida, Derry sprinter Jason Smyth currently tops the national rankings. In both 100m and 200m, Smyth takes on Ferrybank's Chris Russell.

Using the 400m as a warm-up for the European U23 Championships next week is Brian Gregan, while Ireland's Kelly Proper takes on the American Chelsea Taylor in the women's 100m and long jump.

In an Irish Milers Club 800m race, Tallaght's Anthony Lieghio takes on Mark English of Letterkenny, while running the women's 800m are Lisburn's Ciara Mageean and Siofra Cleirigh Buttner of DSD.

John Travers of Donore will run in the IMC 1500m race, while Ireland's top Paralympians will also be chasing London 2012 qualification.

- Lindie Naughton


Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Blincoe & Curtis in Fast Company at Aviva Birmingham 5000


Bobby Curtis and Adrian Blincoe are on the start list of what looks to be a very fast 5000 meter race in Birmingham, England this Sunday, July 10th. Five entrants have career PR under 13:00, and 6 others are in the 13:00-13:10 range. Odds are that David Krummenacker of the USA, one of the best rabbits in the business, will take the group through a brisk 1500 or 2000 meters. Here is a real chance for a time-trial style European 5000 meters.


Start List
Athlete DOB Nation PB SB
BIRMINGHAM, Collis 27.12.1984 AUS 13:10.97 13:42.14
BLINCOE, Adrian 04.11.1979 NZL 13:10.19 NT
BURAAS, Sindre 03.05.1989 NOR 13:28.07 13:28.07
CURTIS, Bobby 28.11.1984 USA 13:18.97 NT
ESPANA, Jesús 21.08.1978 ESP 13:10.73 13:15.19
FARAH, Mohammed 23.03.1983 GBR 12:57.94 NT
GEBREMESKEL, Dejen 24.11.1989 ETH 12:53.56 12:55.89
KIPLIMO, Joseph Kitur 20.07.1988 KEN 13:09.34 13:13.77
KRUMMENACKER, David 24.05.1975 USA
KUMA, Abera 31.08.1990 ETH 13:00.15 13:00.15
MERGA, Imane 15.10.1988 ETH 12:53.58 12:54.21
MOEN, Sondre Nordstad 12.01.1991 NOR 13:33.15 13:33.15
MOTTRAM, Craig 18.06.1980 AUS 12:55.76 13:25.15
RUPP, Galen 08.05.1986 USA 13:07.35 13:25.52
SHAHEEN, Saif Saaeed 15.10.1982 QAT 12:48.81 NT
VERNON, Andy 07.01.1986 GBR 13:27.85 13:27.85

Monday, July 4, 2011

Matthew Gibney Reflects On His 2011 Outdoor Season



Matt Gibney sums up his three-race post NCAA tour (two slows -- Jersey and Victoria -- and a fast -- Vancouver), his upcoming two-week hiatus (featuring breweries and fattening food) before starting the slow buildup of base miles for cross country season. Gibney is optimistic because (a) unlike previous years he enters the midsummer healthy and (b) he anticipates a strong Villanova cross country team for the fall. The addition of Ryan Sheridan (transfer from Iona) is mentioned explicitly, as well as his own chance -- being healthy in July for the first time since arriving at Villanova -- to get strong enough to make a real contribution to the cross country squad.

Sunday, July 3, 2011

Gibney 5th at Victoria International Track Classic 1500 in 3:42.90



Gibney got heavy with about 300 meters to go and dropped a few spots when everyone struck for home. He recovered a bit over the final 100 meters and came 5th, four seconds slower than his race in Vancouver on Friday.

Men 1500 Meter Run INT.
================================================================================
Name Year Team Seed Finals
================================================================================
1 Ellerton, Andrew Canada 3:41.00 3:40.80
2 Martinson, Geoff Canada 3:39.21 3:41.13
3 Foster, Ryan Australia 3:39.51 3:41.84
4 Kisorio, Silas USA 3:39.00 3:41.89
5 Gibney, Matthew Australia 3:40.00 3:42.90
6 Marpole-Bird, Justin Canada 3:46.91 3:43.20
7 Berkis, Anthony Canada 3:42.54 3:44.83
8 Corrigan, Peter Canada 3:43.76 3:45.53
9 Lincoln, Matt Canada 3:47.42 3:45.90
10 Kellar, Adam Canada 3:45.01 3:46.28
11 Boorsma, Kyle Canada 3:40.55 3:46.44
12 Borrego, Diego Mexico 3:44.00 3:47.75
13 Nicol, Scott Canada 3:44.90 3:48.52
14 Jackson, Rob Canada 3:47.19 3:52.64
15 Jamieson, Carlos USA 3:42.43 3:53.13
-- O'Brien, Trevor Canada DNF

Schappert 3rd at Manchester Road Mile in 4:21


Nicole Schappert ran a 4:21 downhill mile in Manchester, New Hampshire, finishing third among the women. The men and women ran together, and the race had a massive 188 feet drop from start-to-finish. Nicole's official mile PR is 4:35. The men's race was won by Brian Gagnon in 3:44, while Julie Cully won the women's race in 4:14 -- both times are the fastest miles ever run on US soil, but rightfully are not considered records because of the nature of the downhill course. The official US national records for the mile are 3:46.91 (Allen Webb, 2007) and 4:16.71 (Mary Decker Slaney, 1986)


Women's Results

1. Julie Cully 4:14
2. Nicole Blood 4:17
3. Nicole Schappert 4:21
4. Malika Mejdoub 4:34
5. Caitlin Malloy 4:40

Saturday, July 2, 2011

Blincoe's 7:51.64 Good for 3rd at Sotteville-Les-Rouen 3000


Adrian Blincoe today finished third in the 3000 meters in the suburbs of Rouen, in northern France. His time of 7:51.64 was 2 seconds off the winner and about 5 seconds off his outdoor PR set last year in Rieti. Coupled with his 3:38.48 1500 meter race last week in Poland, Blincoe seems to be off to a solid start to his 2011 outdoor campaign.


Men's 3000 Meters

1. AYELE, Abayneh (ETH) 7:49.25
2. C'KURUI, James Kwalia (QAT) 7:50.22
3. BLINCOE, Adrian (NZL) 7:51.64
4. HIRT, Hassan (FRA) 7:52.40
5. LEBID, Sergey (UKR) 7:56.67
6. MAYAUD, Denis (FRA) 8:01.20
7. EL MEDOULY, Said (MAR) 8:06.90
8. DAWUD, Massir (ERI) 8:17.07
9. AKAOUCH, Mehdi (FRA) 8:21.07
10. BOUCENA, Vincent (FRA) 8:28.76

Friday, July 1, 2011

Matt Gibney Discusses his New 1500 PR




Next up for Gibney is the 1500 at the Victoria International Track Classic on Sunday, July 3. Here's the start list for that race.

Event 11 -- START LIST
Men 1500 Meter Run INT.

1 Kisorio, Silas Oklahoma Christian
2 Martinson, Geoff Prince George T&F
3 Foster, Ryan Unattached
4 Brosnan, Sean Unattached
5 Gibney, Matthew Villanova
6 Boorsma, Kyle Speed River Tfc
7 Jamieson, Carlos Cptc New Balance
8 Berkis, Anthony Windsor ON
9 Corrigan, Peter Running Room Athletic Club
10 Borrego, Diego Zatopek Club
11 Marpole-Bird, Justin Canada
12 Lincoln, Matt Canada

Invitational 1500 at Harry Jerome Classic -- Gibney 3:38.34



Typical Gibney race, in a way. Staying close in 5th-6th throughout, then closing fast in the last 400 (about 55 seconds). He was perhaps 7th at the gun and finished third. Nice 2-second PR (see full results at the post below).

Gibney Gets 3:38.34 PR at Harry Jerome Track Classic


Canadian 1500 meter national champion (and former University of Michigan All-American) Nathan Brannen won the elite 1500 race at today's Harry Jerome International Track Classic in Vancouver. Villanova's Matt Gibney finished third in 3:38.34, setting a new 1500 PR by over 2 seconds (surpassing his old best of 3:40.58). Gibney ran 3:43.01 two weekends ago at the New Jersey International in Holmdel.


Event 16 Men 1500 Meter Run NTL Timex
================================================================
Name Year Team Finals
================================================================
1 Nathan Brannen 82 Canada 3:36.75
2 Geoff Martinson 86 Canada 3:37.56
3 Matthew Gibney 88 Australia 3:38.34
4 Kyle Boorsma 88 Canada 3:39.20
5 Ryan Foster 88 Australia 3:39.57
6 Anthony Berkis 89 Canada 3:41.34
7 Justin Marpole-Bird 88 Canada 3:41.34
8 Peter Corrigan 89 Canada 3:41.57
9 Diego Borrego Mexico 3:41.74
10 Matt Lincoln 82 Canada 3:42.21
11 Silas Kisorio Kenya 3:43.57
12 Taylor Milne 81 Canada 3:45.86
-- Christian Smith 83 Usa Pace DNF