Notre Dame track and field results
from Purdue Open

January 13, 2002

Men's Track And Field Middle Distance Group Runs Well At Purdue

Irish begin 2002 indoor season at Purdue Open.

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- (1-13-02) The University of Notre Dame men's track and field team kicked off the 2002 indoor season at the Purdue Open on Saturday, Jan. 13, in West Lafayette, Ind.

The Irish middle distance runners turned in some fine early season performances. Sophomore Kevin Somok led a strong Notre Dame contingent in the 800 meters, winning the race in 1:57.67. Junior Doug Gunzelman crossed the finish line next in 1:58.52, followed by teammate Colin Quinn in third (1:59.28) and Geof Rudziewicz in fifth (1:59.61).

In the 1600 meters, sophomore Kevin Avenius out ran the field to win in 4:19.62. Freshman Eric Morrison was third (4:22.95) while senior Tom Lennon took seventh (4:26.39).

Down in the sprint lane, sophomore James Bracken began his second season with a second-place finish in the 400 meters (49.96). Freshman Trevor McClain-Duer ended up fourth in the 400 - his first collegiate race.

Another freshman, Selim Nurudeen, began his rookie year in fine form with two top-three finishes in the 60-meter hurdles. Nurudeen began with a third-place 8.05 time in the preliminaries, then moved on to the finals where he finished second in 8.09.

In the field group, the Irish veterans made their presence felt. Junior Tom Gilbert won the long jump with a 22-10 3/4 effort. Senior Quill Redwine took second on the triple jump, while classmate Derek Dyer finished fifth in both the shot put preliminaries and finals.

Notre Dame will return to the track and field Friday, Jan. 18, at home against Ball State and Western Michigan.

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Women's Track And Field Sprinters Take First Step Of The Season

Irish sprint corps turns in an impressive early season performance at the Purdue Open, Tameisha King wins long jump.

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- (1-13-02) The University of Notre Dame women's track and field team began the 2002 indoor season on Saturday at the Purdue Open in West Lafayette, Ind. The was no team scoring in the meet, but the Irish sprint group left their impression with two individual victories and a number of top-five finishes. Junior Tameisha King led the field group with an individual victory in the long jump.

Notre Dame will rely heavily on its deep sprint group during the entire 2002 track and field season, and the Irish began the season in solid form. Sophomore Ayesha Boyd continued her late-season improvement from 2001 with an runner-up finish in the 60 meters (after posting the top preliminary time) in 7.70. Boyd then followed up with a victory in the 200 meters in 24.18. Both of Boyd's times in the 60 meters (7.50 in the preliminaries) and in the 200 meters were personal best marks in her young Notre Dame career.

The Irish dominated the 400 meters, taking the top three spots led by freshman Tiffany Gunn. The Little Rock, Ark., native won the race in 58.32, followed by junior Kymia Love in second (58.40). Sophomore Kristen Dodd finished third in 58.44.

Gunn then switched to the 60-meter hurdles, finishing third in the preliminaries (9.06) and the finals (8.92).

Tameisha King provided the other highlight of the meet for the Irish, jumping 19-6 1/2 in the long jump to easily take first place.

Notre Dame will host Ball State and Western Michigan on Friday, Jan. 18, in the Loftus Sports Complex.

Alan Wasielewski, Publicity Assistant
University of Notre Dame Sports Information
112 Joyce Center, Second Floor
Notre Dame, IN 46556
(219) 631-3397/(219) 631-7941 (fax)
cell phone: 219-315-5746
E-mail: [email protected]

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