May 3, 2008

VILLANOVA, Pa. - The Villanova men claimed on title and had several athletes qualify to Sunday's finals in the Wildcats' first day of competition at the 2008 BIG EAST Outdoor Championships.

Senior Marco Radocaj claimed the 2008 BIG EAST Outdoor title in the javelin with a regional qualifying throw of 68.31m. Radocaj earned 10 points for the Wildcats. Junior Matthew Papson threw 58.46m to finish seventh and also earn points for Villanova.

Freshman Carl Mackenzie moved into Sunday's final of the 1,500m, running the event in 3:49.29 and finishing in the top four of his heat. The top four finishers automatically qualify to the finals. Senior Michael Kerrigan will join him as he finished with a time of 3:49.08 qualifying from time.

Junior Elvis Lewis finished second in the 400m dash with a regional qualifying time of 46.66 to move into Sunday's finals. Sophomore Garret Kroner will also run in the finals after recording a 49.32 finish.

Senior Kevin Okolie ran the 100m dash in 10.61 to propel him into the finals and recorded a 21.61 in the 200m dash to advance.

The Wildcats had senior Mark Korich advance to the finals in the 800m. Korich crossed the finish line in 1:51.16.

Senior Patrick Gazzini won his heat with a NCAA Regional qualifying time of 52.01 in the 400m hurdles to advance to Sunday's finals.

Villanova returns to the track on Sunday beginning at 11:35 a.m. when MacKenzie and Kerrigan will run the 1,500m final.