Men's Track needs big Sat. finish for title run

May 09, 2008

The St. Thomas men's track and field won the 4x800 meter relay in a meet-record time Friday night but the Tommies will need a big day Saturday to catch defending champion St. John's.

With seven of 22 events completed, the Johnnies have 67.5 points to lead Concordia (42), Hamline (39.5), St. Thomas (30) and St. Olaf (29). The Tommies qualified well in Friday prelims but must erase a 38-point deficit on the Johnnies. The Johnnies will be strong in the steeplechase and 5,000 but UST has 13 qualifiers to three for SJU in the 100 through 1,500 meters. UST should also score well in the hammer and the hurdles races.

P.J. Theisen had a career-best and NCAA Provisional Qualifying long jump of 23-8, which is tied for fifth in Division III. But that still took second to Erik Diley of St. John's, who soared 23-11 1-2.

The 4x800 team of Neil Atzinger, Greg Dowe, Matt Boumeester and Brian Sames won in 7:36.41.

Chris Victor took third in the pole vault (14-9) and Anthony Kelly placed eighth (13-11 1-4). Mark O'Connell took sixth in the shot put (49-3 1-2).

Click here for complete Friday results:

http://www.raceberryjam.com/miacmensodevents.html