Lyons' James and Olson continue to shine at Boston's Terrier Classic

January 25, 2003

BOSTON, MA- Wheaton College women's indoor track and field junior Amber James (Woodbury, MN/Woodbury) and men's indoor track and field sophomore Dan Olson (Voorheesville, NY/Albany Academy) continued to shine for the Lyons, as both posted NCAA Division III national meet automatic qualifying results in the 400-meter dash and high jump, respectively at Boston University's Terrier Classic Saturday afternoon. No team scores were recorded at the meet.

James set two school records on the day, finishing second in the 400-meter dash with a time of 55.29 and third in the 200-meter dash in 24.74. She was the top Division III runner, as well as the only Division III athlete to finish in the Top 10, in both events. James shattered her own school record in the 400M and broke Deshawnda Williams '00 three-year old school mark in the 200M by one one-hundredths of a second.

Olson was impressive for the men, leaping a season-best 7' 1" in capturing the men's high jump title. As the only Division III competitor, Olson won the event for the second consecutive week, as he was victorious at the Greater Boston Track Club (GBTC) Invitational title last weekend.

Another automatic qualifier was reached on the women's side, as the 4x400-meter relay team consisting of James, junior Vernick Smith (Camden, NJ/Woodrow Wilson), sophomore Tessa Donoghue (Springfield, MA/Cathedral), and freshman Aquila Williams-Judge (Boston, MA/Scituate) finished as the top Division III team and third overall in a time of 3:49.29.

A total of seven women posted NCAA provisional qualifying marks on the day, led by Williams-Judge and Donoghue. Williams-Judge posted provisional times of 7.35 in the 55-meter dash and 8.30 in the 55-meter hurdles, while Donoghue posted provisional marks in the 400-meter dash (57.62), long jump (17' 9 1/2") and triple jump (37" 11 1/4").

In addition to James and Donoghue in the 400-meter dash, first-year athlete Oly Wirtz (Fitchburg, MA/Fitchburg) and Smith posted provisional times of 58.23 and 58.62, respectively. Rounding out the provisional marks were senior captains Kristen Cullen (Stoneham, MA/Stoneham) and Kerry Teamey (Kalamath Falls, OR/Henley). Cullen recorded a time of 8.57 in the 55M hurdles, while Teamey posted a season-high pole vault of 11' 1 3/4".

In addition to Olson, the men were led by junior Erik Benson (Southbury, CT/Pomperaug), who recorded a sixth-place finish and provisional qualifying time of 48.94 in the 400-meter dash. Benson also placed third in the 200-meter dash with a time of 22.18.

The men and women will return to action this Saturday, February 1, when the Blue and White host the seventh annual Wheaton Invitational. Meet time is set to begin at 9:00 a.m.

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Upcoming Schedule

11-Jan Sun Dartmouth Relays 9:00am
16-Jan Fri Sorlien Invitational 12:00pm
23-24-Jan Fri-Sat Terrier Classic 11:00am