Wheaton's bid for fourth straight NCAA National Championship falls short; Women place third overall and men finish in tie for 27th

May 29, 2004

DECATUR, IL- The Wheaton College men's and women's outdoor track and field teams wrapped up their third day of competition at the NCAA Division III Championships Saturday afternoon at Millikin University's Frank M. Lindsay Field.

The women's bid for a fourth straight national championship fell short for the Lyons, as Wheaton placed third overall with a total of 37.8 points. The men finished in a tie for 27th with 10 points. The University of Wisconsin at Oshkosh won the women's title with 57 points, while the University of Wisconsin at La Crosse won the men's championship with 101 points.

The Wheaton women have had quite an impressive success streak over the last seven years, finishing first in 2001, 2002 and 2003, second in 1998 and 1999 and third in 2000 and 2004. In six years, the Lyons have captured an astounding eight national championships, including five straight indoor crowns from the winter of 1999 through 2003. In addition to their five titles, the indoor squads took second in 1998 and 2004.

Senior Amber James (Woodbury, MN/Woodbury) capped her illustrious career in familiar form, leading Wheaton with national championships in the 200- and 400-meter dash events in addition to anchoring an NCAA All-America 4x400-meter relay team. James became just the second NCAA Division III athlete to sweep eight indoor and outdoor national titles in a single event, as she topped the competition in the 400M with a Division III season-best time of 53.58. Her mark also shattered her Wheaton all-time record of 53.81.

James also captured her third straight 200M national title, besting the field with a Division III season-best time of 24.25. She became just the second athlete to achieve such a feat, as Rhondale Jones of Lincoln University won three consecutive championships from 1999-2001. As for sweeping eight titles in a single event, James joined Eleena Zhelezov of Brandeis University, who won all eight triples jumps from 1992-95, on a very exclusive list. James' seven individual outdoor national crowns places her second all-time for most national titles in a career. All told, James is a 17-time national champion and 24-time All-America athlete.

Joining James on the 4x400M relay team was junior Jessica Allegra (East Hampton, CT/East Hampton), sophomore Oly Wirtz (Fitchburg, MA/Fitchburg) and freshman Alison Amendola (Franklin, MA/Franklin). The foursome notched a season-best time of 3:46.58, which was good enough for fourth place. In the field, the Lyons boasted another NCAA All-America performance, as junior Kirsten Larsen (Hampden, MA/Minnechaug Regional) placed fourth in the javelin at 143' 6", just eight inches off of her personal best.

In total, the Lyon women secured two NCAA National Championships and four NCAA All-America finishes. In addition to today's laurels, senior Kim Spence (Dover, NH/Barrington) placed seventh in the 3,000-meter steeplechase and freshman Jennifer Harlow (East Bridgewater, MA/East Bridgewater) finished in a four-way tie for second in the high jump on Friday.

For the men, junior Dan Olson (Voorheesville, NY/Albany Academy) captured his third straight high jump national championship on Friday, while classmate Stan Pyle (South Portland, ME/South Portland) took 13th overall in today's 5,000-meter run with a time of 15:13.66.

This page is maintained by Scott Dietz. Last updated on 12/21/05.
Questions about this page? Use our query form.

News Headlines.

Wheaton reorganizes track and field staff, Souza and Mangiacotti named co-head coaches (more)

Three Wheaton track and field athletes earn national academic honors, both men's and women's squads draw accolades from USTFCCCA (more)

Three Wheaton track and field athletes meet NCAA standards, school record falls at ECAC Championship (more)