Michigan
Stanford Invitational
Williams Gets Regional Mark At Stanford Invite
3/31/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Track & Field
PALO ALTO, Calif. -- The University of Michigan men's track and field team sent a large portion of its distance corps to compete at the Stanford Invitational Friday and Saturday (March 30-31). Eleven Wolverines competed in four different events at Cobb Track & Angell Field; a portion of the Wolverines also competed at the University of North Carolina Invitational this weekend (March 30-31).
Sophomore Lex Williams (Ann Arbor, Mich./Dexter) highlighted the U-M efforts in the 5,000-meter run events. Williams clocked an NCAA regional qualifying time of 13:52.94 to place 14th in the fastest section of the event. Former U-M star Nate Brannen won the top section with a time of 13:43.19. In section five, sophomore/freshman Tony Nalli (Ann Arbor, Mich./Dexter) took seventh place with a time of 14:28.67. Senior/junior James Reichardt (Spring Lake, Mich./Spring Lake) set a new personal best in the event when he crossed the line in14:39.59 to place 29th in section four. Reichardt's former career best was 14:45.64.
Fifth-year senior Andrew Ellerton (Sudbury, Ontario/Confederation) won the B Sections of the 1,500-meter run. Ellerton's time of 3:48.10 was faster than 93 other competitors and was just .30 seconds shy of an NCAA regional qualifying mark. Also putting up strong performances for the Wolverines in the event were sophomore/freshman Sean McNamara (Elmhurst, Ill./York), who clocked the 12th-fastest time (3:51.26), and freshman Ciaran O'Lionaird (Cork, Ireland/De La Salle), who finished with the 30th-fastest mark (3:53.30).
In Section three of the 10,000-meter run, junior Seth Thibodeau (Milford, Mich./Milford) took fourth with a time of 29:49.82, while sophomore/freshman Brandon Fellows (Mercer Island, Wash./Mercer Island) crossed the line in 10th with a mark of 30:13.93. Thibodeau's mark shattered his own personal record, finishing the race over 38 seconds faster than his previous career best.
Next week the Maize and Blue will travel to Austin, Texas, to compete at the Texas Relays. The meet will be held from Wednesday through Saturday (April 4-7) at Mike A. Myers Stadium.
Event Winners/U-M Results
Friday (March 30)5,000-meter Run (Section 4) 1. Chris Swisher, unatt. 14:09.97 29. James Reichardt, U-M 14:39.59 5,000-meter Run (Section 5) 1. Kristopher Houghton, Team Bsk- 14:17.33 7. Tony Nalli, U-M 14:28.67 10,000-meter Run (Section 3) 1. Oscar Ogwaro, East L.A. College 29:41.30 4. Seth Thibodeau, U-M 29:49.82 10. Brandon Fellows, U-M 30:13.93 400-meter Hurdles 1. Perry McBride, Montgomery TC 51.77# 32. Matt Wheeler, U-M 70.06Saturday (March 31)
1,500-meter Run (B Sections) 1. Andrew Ellerton, U-M 3:48.10 12. Sean McNamara, U-M 3:51.26 30. Ciaran O'Lionaird, U-M 3:53.30 70. Justin Switzer, U-M 3:59.27 74. Jeff Merrill, U-M 4:00.70 5,000-meter Run (Section 1) 1. Nate Brannen, Reebok 13:43.19 14. Lex Williams, U-M 13:52.94# # NCAA Regional Qualifying Mark
Contact: Tim Trunzo (734) 763-4423
Players Mentioned
