Feb. 18, 2017
By Caitlyn Clinton and Matthew D’Alonzo
NOTRE DAME, Ind. — The University of Notre Dame Track and Field team produced six first-place finishers at the Alex Wilson Invitational on Saturday at the Loftus Sports Center.
This Saturday’s meet showcased 32 teams from across the country competing one last time before heading into a week of conference championship meets. Today’s highlights included the men and women’s distance medley relay (DMR), the women’s mile, throwing events, and the 800m run.
Irish student-athletes set twenty-two personal records. After many outstanding performances from the Irish at the 2017 Alex Wilson Invitational, the team is looking ahead to the Atlantic Coast Conference Championships (ACC) meet next weekend.
Chasing the Championships
Junior Jessica Harris (4:35.27) took first place in the women’s mile, stunning spectators once again with a personal-best time and moving up in the rankings to ninth in the nation.
“ACCs at home is going to be really exciting, and I am looking forward to running the mile there,” Harris said. “I’m looking forward to great competition, and running some races, not for time but for place.”
She reflected on the last week of training, commenting “I am definitely fitter than I was two weeks ago.” Harris was also thankful for her training partner, Dani, being in the race with her.
As of now, Jessica Harris has secured a spot in the national championship mile in early March.
Throwing Away Records
Both men and women’s throwing events came to compete today. The men’s shot put threw remarkable distances, including Logan Kusky (16.37m), Daniel Hardiman (16.33m), and Shae Watkins (15.97m). All men set personal records today, showing that their hard work is paying off.
Senior Indi Jackson (16.23m) broke the indoor school record today with her throw in the women’s shot put. She previously held the third best performance in Notre Dame’s indoor track and field history.
Up Next
The Irish will be hosting the Atlantic Coast Conference Championships at the Loftus Sports Center next Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Fifteen division one teams will compete for the coveted title of conference champion.
Top Irish Finishers:
W Weight Throw:
2. Abbey Kapitan-16.25m
4. Alexa Coubal-15.93m
M Weight Throw:
2. Anthony Shivers-20.08m
3. Logan Kusky-18.80m
4.Shae Watkins-15.23m
W Shot Put:
2. Indi Jackson-16.23m*
3. Abbey Kapitan-14.66m
M Shot Put:
2. Logan Kusky-16.73m*
3. Daniel Hardiman-16.33m*
4. Shae Watkins-15.97m*
W Long Jump:
3. Jernaya Sharp-5.17m
M Long Jump:
4. Jack Jesse-6.38m
W Pole Vault:
2. Kassadee Ifft-3.72m
M Pole Vault:
1. Landon Shank-4.56m
2. Jesse Shank-4.41m
W High Jump:
1.Keira Kelly-1.59m
2. Rachel Rhodes-1.54m
2.(tie) Libby Parsons-1.54m
W 60 Meter Hurdles:
1.Summer Thorpe-8.60
3. Grace Cronin-8.78*
4. Madysen Hunter-9.08*
M 60 Meter Hurdles:
3. Carter Sorenson-9.15
W 60 Meter:
2. Kyla Lewis-7.56*
3. Michaela Butler-7.70*
4. Madysen Hunter-7.78*
M 60 Meter:
1.Troy Pride Jr.- 6.93
W Distance Medley Relay:
12. Notre Dame-11:33.33
M Distance Medley Relay:
9. Notre Dame-9:36.60
W 5000 Meter Run:
1. Kaitlin Frei-17:56.13
W Mile:
1. Jessica Harris-4:35.27*
M 400 Meter:
11. Edward Cheatham-49.00*
W 800 Meter:
6. Stephanie Knight- 2:13.52
7. Samantha Murray-2:14.00
8. Emily Franz-2:14.08*
10. Alexis Daugherty-2:26.19
M 800 Meter:
5. Ryan Schweizer 1:51.40*
13. Eric Gebeke-1:52.51
14. Clayton Goldman-1:52.92*
20. Grant Koch-1:57.51
W 200 Meter:
2. Allison Bartoszewicz-24.83
3. Kyla Lewis-25.37
5. Michaela Butler-25.47
M 200 Meter:
4. Zachary Zajdel-22.03*
W 3000 Meter:
8. Ashlyn Rambo-9:56.92
*Personal Best
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Matthew D’Alonzo is a sophomore student assistant for Fighting Irish Media, working with Athletics Communications Directors for Cross Country, Track and Field, Basketball, and Tennis. A Computer Engineering/Music Theory Major, Matthew is from Mobile, Alabama.
Caitlyn Clinton is a freshman student assistant for Fighting Irish Media. She works with the Athletics Communications Directors for Cross Country, Track and Field, Basketball, and Soccer. Caitlyn is from O’Fallon, IL and is a American Studies major.