Villanova University

April 27, 2001

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - When Villanova last captured the Distance Medley Relay at the Penn Relays, Marcus O'Sullivan was a freshman who ran one leg of that event. Twenty years later head coach Marcus O'Sullivan watched as his Wildcats raced to a stirring first-place finish in the DMR on Friday afternoon at Franklin Field.

It marked Villanova's first win in the event since 1981. Prior to that the Wildcats had taken the DMR at the Penn Relays every year from 1966 until '81.

Freshman Ryan Hayden (Richmond, Canada) ran the first leg for Villanova in 2:55.6. When Hayden passed the baton to senior Mike Brown (Mt. Laurel, N.J.), the Wildcats were in fifth place. Brown ran a 46.7 second leg and passed three runners, moving the 'Cats into second place as the third leg of the relay got underway.

Freshman Jason Jabaut (Peru, N.Y.) took the baton and kept the Wildcats close to the pace set by Abilene Christian University with a 1:49.8 leg. It then fell to sophomore Adrian Blincoe (Auckland, New Zealand) to overtake Abilene Christian's Alfred Rugema in the final leg. Blincoe made his move with 250 meters to go and his kick pushed him past Rugema and into the lead. He went on to complete his leg in 3:58.4 and give the 'Cats the victory.

Villanova's final time was 9:30.48. Abilene Christian was second (9:31.41) while Georgetown finished third (9:34.38).

The win was Villanova's first Championship of America Relay victory at the Penn Relays since 1993, when the Wildcats took the 4 x 1500 meter relay. It is Villanova's 22nd Men's DMR title and 89th relay title at the Penn Relays.

The Wildcat men will be back in action at 12:40 p.m. on Saturday afternoon here. They will compete in the 4 x Mile relay.

Notebook: The Villanova women's team finished seventh on Friday in the 4 x 1500 meter relay here. Senior Ann McGranahan (Pensacola, Fla.), sophomore Liz Awtrey, freshman Rebecca Mitchell (Geneva, Ill.) and freshman Renee Gunning (Perkasie, Pa.) combined to run a time of 18:14.21. Arkansas finished first with a time of 17:34.63.