Partial Squad Sets Records, Hangs Tough At D-I Maryland Invite

Bethesda, MD — The Messiah track and field program took a limited roster to the University of Maryland Terrapin Invitational this weekend, getting an opportunity to compete for the first time in the 2009 calendar year as well as going up against NCAA Division I competition.

With just 14 athletes making the trip — the event was not team scored — Messiah still proved it belonged at Saturday’s meet, setting several school records while finishing near the top of a variety of events.

Senior Patrick Roach and freshman Tyler Newhook led the way, setting new school records in the 800-meter run and mile, respectively. Roach broke his previous 800 record (set in the season-opening Ursinus College Classic-Winter Invitational), turning in a time of 1:55.47 — a clip nearly good enough to win the race at Saturday’s meet. Tripped entering the final lap, Roach came back with a strong kick in the final 200 meters to take the lead. Saint Augustine’s College’s Johnny Shuping was able to pass Roach at the finish line, however, claiming the win by .06 of a second.

Newhook’s school-record mile time of 4:22.51 earned him eighth place Saturday. Junior Ted Simmons opened his 2008-2009 indoor season by finishing ninth overall in the high jump, clearing 6-4.

On the women’s side, junior All-American Kristen Bates added her name to the program record book once more, running the 60-meter hurdles for the first time in school history. Her clip of :08.95 was a school record by virtue of its inaugural nature, while the time was also an NCAA provisional qualifying mark. (Bates had previously hit the automatic qualifying mark in the 55-meter hurdles at the season-opening meet at Ursinus.)

Junior Erin Rhodes finished fourth overall with a very strong time in the 3,000-meter run (10:38.51), while Messiah’s 4 X 4 relay team of sophomore Grace Kaste, sophomore Megan Sisson freshman Brooke Airey and freshman Lauren Harte finished fourth overall in a time of 4:14.97. That race provided another heart-stopping finish, as Harte was able to out-kick the anchor leg from NCAA Division II Virginia State University down the home stretch.

Messiah will next take a full squad to Friday’s Collegeville Indoor Classic at Ursinus College.