Dec. 6, 2007

VILLANOVA, Pa. - The Villanova Men and Women's Track & Field Teams will kick off the 2007-08 indoor season this Friday with the Jack Pyrah Invitational, which honors longtime Villanova track coach Jack Pyrah, who passed away this summer. Villanova will host the fifth annual indoor meet two miles off campus at Haverford College's Alumni Field House. The field of competitors features local student-athletes from Temple University, La Salle University, University of Delaware, and Haverford College.

"The meet will give us a good idea as to where we are in our training and what we need to do over the holiday break," says men's head coach Marcus O'Sullivan. "We have added a lot of talent and depth to our team and I look forward to seeing these young men get their collegiate career going in a Villanova vest. Our distance guys made the jump back to the NCAA Championships in cross country and it is now time to see how our middle distance, sprints, and field events are progressing."

Women's head coach Gina Procaccio has assembled a very talented and balanced team and feels they are poised to be a major player in the BIG EAST Conference. Despite losing All-Americans Monique Morgan and Tiera Fletcher to graduation, Procaccio feels that this year's team can surpass the accomplishments of the 2006-07 squad.

"With the support of our strongest recruiting class in years on board, I am confident that these young ladies are ready to continue the Villanova tradition of excellence," says Procaccio. "This is a great opportunity for our sprinters, middle-distance runners, throwers, and jumpers to get a head start on this season's campaign. I have a good feeling about our team and look forward to the 2008 indoor season."

The meet commences with field events at 4:00 p.m., while the running events are slated to begin at 5:00 p.m. A tentative time schedule is listed below and results can be found by visiting www.directathletics.com or by clicking here.

Running Events

5:00pm - 3000m women

5:20pm - 55mh Women Finals

5:35pm - 55mh Men Finals

5:40pm - 55m Women Finals

5:50pm - 55m Men Finals

6:05pm - 500m Women

6:15pm - 500m Men

6:25pm - 300m Women

6:55pm - 300m Men

7:25pm - 800m Women

7:30pm - 800m Men

7:35pm - 1000m Women

7:40pm - 1000m Men

7:50pm - Mile run Women

7:55pm - Mile run Men

8:05pm - 3000m men

8:30pm - 1600m relay Women

8:45pm - 1600m relay Men

Field Events

Weight Throw @ Villanova - 4:00 pm

High Jump - 4:00 pm

Long Jump - 4:00 pm

Pole Vault - 4:00 pm

Shot Put follows High Jump & Weight Throw

Triple Jump Follows Long Jump