April 22, 2016
By Lizzie Mikes
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The University of Notre Dame track and field program began competition Friday evening in Charlottesville, Virginia at the Virginia Challenge meet. Margaret Bamgbose (Evanston, Ill. / Evanston Township) claimed first place in the 400m race, while Jessica Harris (Cockeysville, Md. / Mount de Sales) took the win in the women’s 800m. Harris’s time of 2:05.26 broke the school record and also stands as a personal best for the sophomore.
Jessica Harris (far L) won the women’s 800m race Friday afternoon at the Virginia Challenge.
“Coach Sean Carlson has done a great job preparing Jessica; we’ve known since her freshman year that she was a talented athlete,” head coach Alan Turner commented. “Unfortunately, she missed her freshman outdoor season with an injury. She is healthy, fit and racing with confidence now. I expect her to become All-ACC first team, and slice a few more seconds off her 800m time. She has a great opportunity to qualify for the NCAA Championships. She is getting much better with her racing tactics, with not being hesitant to push the pace when needed.”
Bamgbose, who crossed the finish line in 52.50 seconds, also ran with Payton Miller, who finished 18th overall (56.00), Harris led four other Irishwomen in tthe 800m; Jamie Marvil came in 16th (2:09.37), while Kelly Hart clocked in at 2:11.81 and Stephanie Knight, 2:12.19.
The women’s team also earned a third place finish in the 4x100m relay (44.58), and Lexi Pelletier earned a runner-up finish in the 10,000m, racing in at 34:02.08. Other track performances included Kyla Lewis and Allison Bartoszewicz running in the 100m, with Lewis finishing in 12.02 and Bartoszewicz, 12.36.
On the men’s team, Alex Groesch and Drake Stimson were neck and neck in the 400m, with Groesch finishing in 48.45 and Stimson, 48.75. Patrick O’Connell finished in 1:51.44 in the 800m, and was joined by Kirk Hansen, who clocked in at 1:52.78.
In field events, Lena Madison threw 50.31m in the women’s hammer throw – good for 14th – and Taylor Craft finished 12th in the women’s triple jump (11.75m). On the men’s side, Anthony Shivers took third in the discus throw (53.79m) and 16th in the hammer throw (55.87m).
The Irish are in action again Saturday morning, with events starting at 9 a.m. ET. A full recap will be available on und.com. For up-to-the-minute action, follow the team’s social media accounts on twitter (@NDXCTF) and Facebook (Notre Dame Cross Country/Track & Field).
Day 1 Results
W 100m
- Kyla Lewis 12.02
36. Allison Bartoszewicz 12.36
W 400m
- Margaret Bamgbose 52.50
18. Payton Miller 56.00
M 400m
- Alex Groesch 48.45
24. Drake Stimson 48.75
W 800m
- Jessica Harris 2:05.26
16. Jamie Marvil 2:09.37
44. Kelly Hart 2:11.81
45. Stephanie Knight 2:12.19
W 4x100m
- ND 44.58
M 800m
- Patrick O’Connell 1:51.44
29. Kirk Hansen 1:52.78
W 10,000m
- Alexa Pelletier 34:02.08
W Hammer Throw
- Lena Madison 50.31m
W Triple Jump
- Taylor Craft 11.75m
M Hammer Throw
- Anthony Shivers 55.87m
M Discus Throw
- Anthony Shivers 53.79m
— ND —
Lizzie Mikes serves as Media Services Coordinator at the University of Notre Dame. A 2013 graduate of Johnson & Wales University, she oversees credential management and is the athletic communications director for Fighting Irish men’s and women’s swimming and diving and track and field. She has assisted with numerous NCAA postseason events hosted by Notre Dame, and is heavily involved in the day-to-day tasks of the athletic communications office.