April 25, 1998

PHILADELPHIA - Behind the inspired running of sophomore Carmen Douma, the Villanova Wildcat women captured second place in the College Distance Medley Relay Championship, held on Saturday, April 25, 1998, on the final day of competition at the Penn Relay Carnival.

The Wildcats posted a time of 11:07.30 in the race, narrowly behind champion Wisconsin, which finished the race in 11:06.88. Tamieka Grizzle, a sophomore from the Bronx, N.Y., handled the leadoff 1200-meter leg, while Leashia Rahr, another sophomore who hails from Syracuse, N.Y., ran the 400-meter portion of the grueling race. Wilmington, Del., native, Lony'e Johnson, running her second race of the week, was assigned to the 800-meter duties, while Douma ran the tough 1600-meter anchor leg.

Douma came from approximately 25-meters back to nearly take the lead at the finish line, posting the fastest 1600-meter time in the race with a mark of 4:35.5. When she took the baton, the All-American was in fourth place, but she charged ahead, overtaking runners from Tulane and Stanford before challenging Wisconsins Sara Frederickson for the DMR title.

Another bright spot for the Wildcats was freshman Charmaine Walker from Plainfield, N.J., who recorded a personal-best in the 100-meter hurdles with a time of 13.15 to place third overall. The Big East Conference indoor champion in the 55-meter hurdles and an All-American in that event, Walker finished behind Angie Vaughn of Texas (12.80, Penn Relays record) and Lacena Golding of Auburn (13.00).

Freshman Barry Flicker continued to impress in his debut with the Wildcats, finishing fifth overall in the javelin throw with a mark of 210-0, just four inches away from third place. Vick Morency of Massachusetts won the title with a throw of 215-11.

Senior All-American Kareem Archer also competed, finishing seventh overall in the 400-meter hurdles in 51.30. Archer also teamed up with Greg Young, Michael Brown and Maulan Byron in the College Mens 4x400-meter relay, recording a time of 3:11.28 to finish third in their heat.

Other competitors for the Wildcats were Steve Bienko, who placed 11th in the discus with a toss of 164-10, and Sarah Hunt, who recorded a personal-best with a mark of 152-01 in the hammer throw to place 11th as well. The men's 4xone mile squad of Scott Tantino, Coulby Dunn, Dean Smith, and Brock Butler finished 14th in 16:48.31.