Villanova University

Feb. 9, 1998

Wildcat Track and Field Dominates Delaware Invitational

NEWARK, Del. - The Villanova women's track and field squad took center stage at the Delaware Invitational on February 7-8, 1998, with the championships of five different events won by John Marshall's Wildcats. The meet was held at the University of Delaware on both Saturday and Sunday.

Carmen Douma (So., Cambridge, Ontario) made her first appearance in the 800m run this indoor season, clocking in at 2:13.13 to capture individual honors and qualify for the ECAC Championships. Villanova had two other top 10 finishers in that event, as Kristen Nicolini (Jr., Annapolis, Md.) placed third in 2:17.45 and Lony'e Johnson (So., Wilmington, Del.) captured seventh place in 2:19.74.

The mile run was another Wildcat-dominated event, as Tamieka Grizzle (So., Bronx, N.Y.) won the race in 5:04.42 and Ann McGranahan (Fr., Pensacola, Fla.) finished third in 5:06.12. McGranahan is fresh from her amazing performance in the 5000m event a week prior, as she earned an NCAA provisional qualifying time in that race and ran oneof the fastest times in the event ever for a freshman.

All-American Kristine Jost (Jr., Kent Island, Md.) looked incredibly strong, running away with the 3000m individual title in 9:48.61 and narrowly missing an NCAA provisional qualifying time. The distance medley relay team also dominated, winning the event in an NCAA provisional time of 11:37.44. The quartet of Leashia Rahr (So., Syracuse, N.Y.), Grizzle, Nicolini, and Douma put in an excellent effort and will get better and better as the indoor season progresses.

In the field events, Marlena Robinson (Fr., Rochester, N.Y.) continued her unbeaten streak in the triple jump, winning her fourth individual title in as many tries in 39-06. Robinson has already qualified for the ECAC Championships and set a school record in her young career on the Main Line.

On the men's side, there were many impressive performances. Jermaine Deans (Jr., Kingston, Jamaica), already one of the finest triple jumpers in school history, competed in the long jump at the Delaware Invitational and finished third in an IC4A-qualifying 23-4.74.

In the mile run, Scott Tantino (So., North Wales, Pa.) put in an outstanding effort, earning runner-up honors with a time of 4:18.40. He was joined in the race by Brock Butler (Jr., West Chester, Pa.) who placed seventh in 4:22.53, and Richard Morris, who finished 11th in 4:24.42.

Steve Bienko (Jr., Tranquility, N.J.) put in a fine performancein the shot put, finishing fifth overall, while Kevin Coyne (Jr., Springfield, Va.) took sixth in the pole vault.

The Wildcats will continue indoor competition on Feb. 13-14, 1998, with a meet at Butler University in Indianapolis, Ind.

DELAWARE INVITATIONAL
Feb. 8, 1998 ~ University of Delaware
Villanova Women's Results
200m
3.  Leashia Rahr    25.82
20. Janielle Matthews   27.09
400m
3.  Jessica Franks  59.73
800m
1.  Carmen Douma    *2:13.13
3.  Kristen Nicolini    2:17.45
7.  Lony'e Johnson  2:19.74
58. Susan Billings  2:39.37
Mile
1.  Tamieka Grizzle 5:04.42
3.  Ann McGranahan  5:06.12
3000m
1.  Kristine Jost   *9:48.61
DMR
1.  Villanova   *$11:37.44
     Rahr, Grizzle, Nicolini, Douma
Triple Jump
1.  Marlena Robinson    *39-06.50 (12.05)
14. Katie Blackett  34-10.50 (10.63)
Shot Put
17. Sarah Hunt  37-02.25 (11.33)
Weight Throw
9.  Sarah Hunt  45-01.75 (13.76)
18. Melissa Guinivan    34-10.25 (10.62)

Villanova Men's Results
55m HH
19. Gary Thau   8.22
200m
37. Gary Thau   23.95
42. Mark Kruszewski 24.16
400m
44. Mark Kruszewski 52.60
800m
15. Greg Young  1:59.01
Mile
2.  Scott Tantino   4:18.40
7.  Brock Butler    4:22.53
11. Richard Morris  4:24.42
36. Joseph McNamara 4:32.40
59. Ryan Payne  4:45.71
Pole Vault
6.  Kevin Coyne 14-5.25 (4.40)
Long Jump
3.  Jermaine Deans  #23-4.74 (7.13)
Shot Put
5.  Steve Bienko    47-11.25 (14.61)
*ECAC Indoor qualifying mark; $NCAA Provisional qualifying mark; #IC4A Indoor qualifying mark.