Feb. 2, 2001
The University of Notre Dame men’s and women’s indoor track and field team began competition in the 14th Meyo Invitational Friday, Feb. 1, in the Loftus Sports Center.
The evening’s events were highlighted by two school records, one by All-American Ryan Shay (Central Lake, Mich.) in the 5,000 meters and the other by sophomore Jaime Volkmer (Kearney, Neb.) in the pole vault.
Shay, who finished 10th in the 10,000 meters at the U.S. Olympic Trials last year, set the school record in the 5,000 meters tonight, cruising across the finish line in 13:52.66. Shay breaks Mike O’Connor’s previous university record of 13:56.46, set in 1990. Shay’s time was also a personal record and is currently ranked as the second-best 5,000-meter time in the nation this season. His time will also earn him a spot in the NCAA championship for the 5,000-meter final.
Shay finished right behind Kyle Baker (13:51.62), who was running for the Indiana Invaders.
Volkmer, who extended the school record in the pole vault last week to 11-4, cleared 12-0 this evening. She also posted three very good attempts at the NCAA qualifying mark of 12-6.
Notre Dame’s Tom Gilbert (Rock Falls, Ill.) fought off the effects of the flu to take second place in the long jump (23-2 1/2), followed by teammate Godwin Mbagwu (Petersburg, Va.) with a leap of 22-11 1/4.
Action continues at the Loftus Sports Center tomorrow at 10:30 a.m.