Feb. 18, 2006

Akron, Ohio - While the Villanova Wildcats competed mostly in preliminaries on the first day of the BIG EAST Indoor Championships, several 'Cats competed in the finals of the distance medley relay, the 5000m and the weight throw.

On the men's side the distance medley relay team of Marc Pelerin, Daniel Doherty, Bobby Curtis, and Andrew Keino battled its way throughout the event and in a nail-biting finish, took second place in a time of 9:51.73. Less than half a second separated first from third.

In the 5000m Bobby Papazian set the early pace for the field with Milos Mitric, Craig Segal, and Steve Curley in tow. Mitric finished three seconds in front of Papazian, good enough for 11th (14:37.56) and 12th (14:40.68) places, respectively. In the weight throw Robert McDade finished fifth (59'8.5"), scoring points for the 'Cats.

The women's DMR duplicated the men in finishing second in another close finish. The team of Akilah Vargas, Jordan Sarruda, Frances Koons, and Zita Mezei ran 11:35.74, with the race coming down to a dead sprint in the final 200m.

On day two, Terence Byrnes and Daniel Tully will compete in the 800m; Sean Tully and Mark Korich in the 1000m; Curtis and Pelerin in the Mile; Kevin Okolie in the 200m; Elvis Lewis in the 400m; Drew Eckman and John Wilsman in the 500m; Nick Burkey in the 60mHH; Andrew Keino, Mitric, Papazian, and Curley in the 3000m.

Vargas qualified for the 800m final tomorrow; Marina Muncan, Koons, and Ellen Dougherty the 1000m; Tiera Fletcher the 400m; Arusha McKenzie the 500m; Monique Morgan and Yolanda Malcolm the 60m hurdles; Koons and Liz Gesel the 3000m; and Mezei and Muncan the mile. The day will be rounded out with the 4x800m and 4x400m relays for both the men and women.

For full results, pictures, and live updates on day two visit: http://runnova.com.

Story and photos courtesy of Andrew Blaich.