May 6, 2011
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – The University of Notre Dame men’s and women’s track and field teams completed the first day of the 2011 Outdoor BIG EAST Championships at Jumbo Elliott Track at Villanova Stadium in Villanova, Pa. John Belcher (Cheyenne, Wyo./Cheyenne Central) was the hammer throw champion as the senior recorded a personal best throw of 58.89m.
The men’s team is in first place with 18 points, while the women’s team is in sixth place with two points.
The decathlon has completed five events and Alex Bavis finished third in the 100-meter dash in 11.58, followed by Justin Schneider in fifth place in 11.79 and Dean Odegard in seventh place in 12.17. In the long jump Schneider finished second (6.83m), followed by Bavis in third place (6.48m) and Odegard tied for fourth place (6.36m). Schneider placed third in the shot put (12.26m), while Bavis registered a toss of 10.99m and Odegard was the sixth-place finisher (10.97m).
The Irish took the top two spots in the high jump with Schneider placing first (2.07m) and Bavis in second place (1.89m) and Odegard tied for fourth place (1.86m). Bavis placed second in the 400-meter dash in 50.61 and Odegard was fourth in 52.26.
On the women’s side, Madeline Casanova placed seventh in the hammer throw (51.39m) and Vivien Devaney finished 13th (48.44m).
Maddie Buttinger has completed four events in the heptathlon. The junior placed third in the 100-meter hurdles in 15.00 and finished second in the shot put (12.16m). Buttinger notched a second-place finish in the high jump (1.73m), followed by a first-place finish in the 200-meter dash in 25.02.
The second day of the 2011 BIG EAST Outdoor Track and Field Championships begins at 9:00 a.m., Saturday, with the men’s decathlon running the 110-meter hurdles and the women’s heptathlon competing in the javelin.
–ND–