Feb. 7, 2015
NOTRE DAME, Ind. — The Meyo Invitational is best known for the Meyo Mile, an event that has a knack for pushing athletes to the height of their abilities. On day two of the annual event, however, it was Margaret Bamgbose and the women’s 400 meter race that provided the fireworks. The speedy junior blazed her way to a 52.45 finish, setting a new invitational and Notre Dame record in the process. Her performance places her at fifth in Division I competition based on times coming into the day and in a good position to compete for a spot in the NCAA Indoor Championships in March.
“I am super excited and super proud. I think this season, everything I have done so far has really paid off and shown at this meet,” Bamgbose said. “I am hoping that my time today puts me solidly in the mix [for the NCAA Indoor Championships].”
Bamgbose continued to add to her highlight reel in the final women’s race of the day. Receiving the baton a few paces off the lead and heading into the final lap in the 4×400-meter relay, she caught and passed the leader on the final turn. Pulling away on the final stretch, Bamgbose and the Irish finished in 3:37.20, breaking a Meyo Invitational record that has held since 2002.
The Meyo Mile provided fewer highlights than in years past, finishing without a sub-4-minute mile for the first time since 2007. Last year’s runner-up and Loyola-Chicago front-runner Sam Penzenstadler managed to pull out the victory in 4:00.61, two spots ahead of last year’s champion and Notre Dame alumnus Jeremy Rae who ran for his current club, Speed River. Junior Michael Clevenger managed to break his personal best on the day, flying through at the 4:02.33 mark.
“There were guys who had already broken four in the race … so I expected someone to break four minutes. I guess it goes to show breaking four isn’t as easy as you think,” head coach Alan Turner said.
Junior Danielle Aragon ran her way to a personal best in the Meyo Mile as well, finishing at 4:38.73. Her time left her less than a second behind the meet champion, Michigan’s Brook Handler. Freshman Jessica Harris also set a Notre Dame record in the 800 meter race her fourth in as many career meets. She has set the record in the 600 meters, the 1000 meters, and now twice in the 800 meter race.
“The sky is the limit for [Harris] and she is going to continue to run better and better,” Turner said. “It’s only her second 800 in college, so she is special.”
Two professional track and field athletes participating in the meet broke their own previously set Meyo Invitational records on the day. Nike’s Felisha Johnson shattered her 2013 mark in the shot put with a throw of 17.51 meters, almost two meters more than the closest competitor. Adidas athlete and 2012 Barbados Olympian broke a record he set the night prior, finishing the 60-meter hurdles in 7.56.
The Irish return to action next weekend when they send athletes to the Grand Valley Big Meet at Grand Valley State University, and the SPIRE DI Invitational in Geneva, Ohio. For the latest Irish news and updates, follow @NDXCTF on Twitter and like Notre Dame Cross Country/Track & Field on Facebook.
Day 2
Women’s Events
60-meter hurdles (final)
3. Jade Barber, 8.34
400 meters
1. Margaret Bamgbose, 52.45*+
19. Amber Lalla, 56.04
22. Jordan Shead, 56.20
32. Payton Miller, 56.71
38. Michelle Rotondo, 57.00
73. Mikaila Chamblee, 1:00.71
Meyo Mile
2. Danielle Aragon, 4:38.19
21. Taylor Driscoll, 4:53.74
22. Sydni Meunier, 4:54.35
55. Catherine Lombardo, 5:07.47
64. Celena Guerrero, 5:13.10
67. Elise Brady, 5:14.70
800 meters
8. Jessica Harris, 2:06.16+
13. Samantha Murray, 2:09.59
19. Alexis Daugherty, 2:11.34
25. Jamie Marvil, 2:11.88
28. Ashlyn Rambo, 2:12.20
79. Kaileen Healy, 2:21.28
3000 meters
19. Emily Frydrych, 9:44.88
20. Karen Lesiewicz, 9:47.29
59. Kaitlin Frei, 10:23.14
4×400-meter relay
1. Notre Dame, 3:37.20*
Parker English, Amber Lalla, Jordan Shead, Margaret Bamgbose
Shot Put
3. Emily Morris, 15.01m
Women’s Triple Jump
15. Mary Esther Gourdin, 11.85m
Pole Vault
21. Kayla Polcari, 3.61m
28t. Allie Sullivan, 3.46m
28t. Libby Schichtel, 3.46m
Men’s Events
400 meters
17. Harvey Smith, 48.07
31. Eric Ways, 48.69
35. Oye Eyeguokan, 48.82
51. Alex Groesch, 49.65
63. Ben Harvel, 50.61
Shot Put
15. Dominick Podovano, 16.02m
16. Tommy Rhodes, 15.91m
Meyo Mile
4. Michael Clevenger, 4:02.33
800 meters
10. Patrick O’Connell, 1:51.26
36. Grant Koch, 1:53.92
37. Billy Dolan, 1:54.14
41. Kirk Hansen, 1:55.00
47. Kevin Bryne, 1:55.85
55. Andrew Stone, 1:57.60
58. Adam Turner, 1:58.94
High Jump
13. Holton Hunter, 2.00m
Pole Vault
7. David Schipper, 4.80m
10. Nate Richartz, 4.65m
3000 meters
22. Christopher Quinn, 8:25.93
23. Tim Ball, 8:28.53
28. Kristopher Moran, 8:35.65
43. Kevin Pulliam, 8:44.88
49. Kevin Durham, 8:48.92
*Meyo Invitational Record
+Notre Dame Record
By Ben Brockman
–ND–