Seven Lyons look to better 2006 finishes at NCAA track and field nationals

March 5, 2007

NORTON, MA- The Wheaton College men's and women's indoor track and field teams found out that seven athletes, including six underclassmen, will be traveling to Terre Haute, Indiana, for this weekend's NCAA Division III Track & Field Championships at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. The two-day meet is set to begin this Friday.

Wheaton's women look to make a return to the top 10 for the first time since 2004, as the Lyons are sending five athletes for four events. Senior Jennifer Harlow (East Bridgewater, MA/East Bridgewater) leads the pack with the nation's top high jump of 5' 8 3/4" set during the All New England Championship on February 24. Harlow is the defending national champion and two-time indoor All-American in the event. She will also compete in the 55M hurdles, with her top time of 8.43 taking place at the USATF New England Championship on February 18.

Sprint events dominate the remaining slots for both Wheaton teams, specifically the 400-meter dash and 4x400-meter relay. Sophomore Chizoba Ezeigwe (Brockton, MA/Thayer Academy) returns to the meet following last year's All-America finish in the 400, as her time of 56.74 is the fifth fastest in the country, which was achieved at the Boston University Valentine Invitational on February 10. She is joined by freshman Renee Thompson (Hartford, CT/Weaver), who enters the meet with the field's seventh-fastest time of 57.46 set at the All New England meet.

Ezeigwe and Thompson also comprise half of the nation's fourth-fastest 4x400-meter relay team, with sophomore Natana Jules (Brooklyn, NY/Boys and Girls) and freshman Kamia Smith (Cincinnati, OH/Cincinnati Country Day School) set to run the remaining two legs. The quartet's time of 3:53.51 was accomplished at the New Balance Collegiate Invitational on February 3.

Not to be outdone, the men also have a pair of participants in the 400M dash, as sophomore All-American Jonathan Cunha (Lexington, MA/Lexington) and first-year Merzudin Ibric (Revere, MA/Phillips Academy) rank fifth and sixth, respectively, as each is one of just two competitors from their respective class years. Cunha's time of 48.72 took place at BU's Valentine Invitational, while Ibric's 48.74 performance was from the All New England Championship.

A year ago at Saint Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota, the women placed 14th overall at the NCAA indoor meet with 14 points, while the men stood tied for 22nd with eight points.

This page is maintained by Scott Dietz. Last updated on 3/5/07.
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)

Track teams finish competition at two-day NCAA Championship, Powell notches first indoor All-America showing in 55M hurdles (more)

Upcoming Schedule

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