TicketsFeb. 20, 2008
IN THE STARTING BLOCKS:
The University of Cincinnati indoor track and field team heads to New York for the 2008 BIG EAST Indoor Championships on Feb. 23 and 24 at the New Balance Track and Field Center at the Armory. The Bearcats finished 10th in the 16-team league last season after finishing 14th in 2006, their first as a member of the BIG EAST.
BEARCAT BITES:
The Bearcats will send 22 student-athletes to the BIG EAST Championships to compete in 13 events.
Senior Monica Hundley has twice eclipsed her own school record in the 60 meter hurdles this season. She currently holds the third-fastest time in the BIG EAST at 8.60.
Sophomore Lilian Jelimo set two school marks this season, as she now owns the top mark in UC history in the 3,000 meters (9:55.06) and the 5,000 meters (17:05.59). She is ranked second in the BIG EAST in the 5,000.
Freshman Natasha Burse won a pair of titles at the All-Ohio Championships and set a school record in the 60 meter dash (7.58).
Senior Brittany Klima won the BIG EAST outdoor title in the pole vault last season and holds the outdoor school record. She is second in school history in the indoor pole vault and holds seven of the Top 13 marks in UC annals.
Head coach Jim Schnur is in his 23rd year at Cincinnati and seventh as head coach.
LAST TIME OUT:
The Bearcats finished second out of 12 teams at the All-Ohio Championships. Natasha Burse won the 60 meter dash - setting a school record in the process - as well as the 200 meters. Brittany Klima won the pole vault and Lilian Jelimo won the 3,000 meters in leading UC.
FRESHMAN SENSATIONS:
Freshman Natasha Burse has made quite an impact in her first season as a Bearcat, setting a school record in the 60 meter dash at the All-Ohio Championships. The Texas native has captured five event titles this season and qualified for the BIG EAST Championships in the 60 and 200 meter dashes. Fellow frosh Kaylon Eppinger has qualified for the conference meet in the 60 meter hurdles and high jump, while Jill Glassmeyer made the cut in the 5,000 meters, ranking third in the conference.
2007 BIG EAST CHAMPIONSHIPS:
Seniors Renee Hein and Tara Meier won conference titles in the high jump and pole vault, respectively, at the 2007 BIG EAST Championships. The league crowns were the first BIG EAST Indoor titles for the Bearcats in their second year affiliated with the 16-team league. As a team, UC finished 10th after placing 14th at the 2006 championships.
UP NEXT:
The Bearcats will have a final chance to meet qualifying standards for the NCAA Championships at the Notre Dame Qualifier on March 7-8.