Xavier University Athletics
Xavier University
All-Ohio Championships
Thomas Becomes First XU NCAA Regional Track Qualifier
04.18.09 | Track and Field
April 18, 2009
OXFORD, Ohio - Sophomore Caitlin Thomas became Xavier's first ever NCAA Regional qualifier with her 10:44.72 second-place finish in the 3,000 meter steeplechase as XU track & field competed in both the All-Ohio Championships and the Eastern Kentucky Invitational this weekend, setting ten school records along the way.
Thomas knocked over 18 seconds off her previous school record in the steeplechase set earlier this season, breaking well below the 11-minute mark. Her accomplishment as the first Xavier NCAA Regional qualifier, in only her sophomore season, will be forever etched in Xavier track & field history.
Along with Thomas' performance, four men's records and six women's records were set this weekend. At the All-Ohio Championships, senior Clint Womack ran a lifetime-best 1:51.98 in the 800 meters to best his previous school record (2007) by nearly two seconds. Finishing together, freshman Steven Testa and sophomore Ben Nathan also ran well with times of 1:55.46 and 1:55.72, respectively.
Senior Luke Beuerlein was close to joining Thomas in the NCAA Regional Steeplechase with his first place time of 9:10.74. The final two men's records came from the field as junior Derek LeBlanc added nearly six inches to his long jump distance record with a 22' 3" ¾ leap. Sophomore Jory DelCecato continues to improve in the discus, re-establishing his school record with a 151' 2" throw.
The 4x400 men's relay team of Womack, sophomore Ryan Ulmer, Testa, and senior Dan Magness nearly set the year-old school record, missing by tenths of a second, with their time of 3:21.82.
The women's team added six new school records over the weekend, including Thomas' regional-qualifying performance. Senior Becky Clark re-set both her 800 and 1,500 meter school records with times of 2:12.28 and 4:30.93, respectively. Freshman standout Emily Tyler re-set her own 100 meter hurdles record with a 15.13 effort. While the men's 4x400 team narrowly missed the school record, the women's team lopped off nearly a second from the previous time set in February of this year, running a 4:04.33. The team included freshman Brittani Peltz, sophomore Lauryn Dugan, junior Kate Phillips, and freshman Grace Venzor.
Junior April Phillips, Xavier track's new addition from the women's basketball team, made her shot put debut this weekend by rocketing to the top of the record books. Her sixth place throw of 46' 7" ¼ is almost ten feet beyond the previous school record.
Outstanding performances were also turned in by junior Bethany Moore in the 1,500 meter run (4:45.57) and the tandem of freshman Kelsey Erlenbaugh and junior Kate Phillips in the 800 meters, finishing together with times of 2:21.39 and 2:21.45.
The 10,000 meter run was a showcase for the six XU runners as all three men and women ran personal best times. The men's side featured freshman Keith Albrektson (32:00.57), sophomore Joe Ryan (33:13.77), and sophomore Matt Riley (33:30.40). The women's race included senior Amy Sanders (39:43.50), junior Angela Menke (41:02.39), and freshman Samantha Milroy (42:11.11).
Next Saturday the Musketeers will travel to Indianapolis for the Stan Lyons Invitational, XU's final tune-up before the Atlantic 10 Outdoor Championships.
Players Mentioned
