Lyons begin day one of national championship at Millikin University

May 28, 2004

DECATUR, IL- The Wheaton College women's outdoor track and field team began its quest to capture a fourth straight outdoor national title at the three-day NCAA Division III Championship meet held at Millikin University's Frank M. Lindsay Field. On Thursday, the Lyons competed in the trials of the 200-meter dash, 4x100-meter relay and 4x400-meter relay events.

Senior Amber James (Woodbury, MN/Woodbury) highlighted day one by cruising to the meet's fastest time in the 200-meter dash at 24.63, advancing her into Saturday's finals at 3:55 p.m. James is attempting to win her third straight national title in the event. Freshman Alison Amendola (Franklin, MA/Franklin) also competed in the 200M, finishing sixth in her heat at 25.51.

Later in the day, James anchored Wheaton's 4x400-meter relay team to a 3:47.95 finish, which was the top time in their heat and plenty strong enough to advance to Saturday's final women's event of the meet at 5:05 p.m. James was joined by Amendola, junior Jessica Allegra (East Hampton, CT/East Hampton) and sophomore Oly Wirtz (Fitchburg, MA/Fitchburg).

The biggest surprise of the day came in the trials of the 4x100-meter relay race, as the Lyons had entered the competition boasting the nation's fastest time. Wheaton was destined for Saturday's finals through the first three legs, but on the final exchange the baton was dropped and the Blue and White's hopes of advancing to Saturday vanished. James, Allegra, Amendola and first-year Jennifer Harlow (East Bridgewater, MA/East Bridgewater) comprised Wheaton's relay.

The meet will resume on Friday, May 28 at 10:00 a.m. The Lyons have athletes competing in the women's high jump final at 1:00 p.m., the men's high jump final at 4:00 p.m., the women's 3,000-meter steeplechase final at 5:05 p.m. and the women's 400-meter trial at 6:15 p.m.

Last updated on 5/28/04.
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