Track & Field Adds Four BIG EAST Qualifying Marks at RedHawk Invitational

Track & Field Adds Four BIG EAST Qualifying Marks at RedHawk InvitationalTrack & Field Adds Four BIG EAST Qualifying Marks at RedHawk Invitational

April 24, 2010

Complete Results

OXFORD, Ohio - In the final tune-up meet before it hosts the 2010 BIG EAST Outdoor Track & Field Championships April 30-May 2 at Gettler Stadium, several of the University of Cincinnati's men's and women's track and field athletes opted for rest in preparation of the conference meet, but a host of Bearcats athletes competed and improved their marks entering next week's conference championships.

Michele McKenney was the lone runner to compete in the 3,000m steeplechase and McKenney ran a season-best time of 11:07.92, twenty seconds better than her previous season-best mark. McKenney's time also qualified her for the BIG EAST Championships in the event next weekend.

Also on the women's side, Bridget McNeill qualified for the conference meet in the hammer throw with a personal-best toss of 150' 5-1/2", nearly five feet better than her previous best throw.

In his final opportunity to qualify in the 400 meters, Chase VanCura easily bested the BIG EAST qualifying mark with a time of 48.25 and put himself into a better position to place at the BIG EAST Championships.

Antione Drakeford ran in his first 800m of the season to work on training for his specialty event, the 400m, and Drakeford actually downed the field by nearly two seconds with a time of 1:51.58, marking Cincinnati's third-best time in the event on the season. Drakeford's time also was a BIG EAST qualifying mark.

The final improvements came from Ashley Arnold and Mike Foley. Foley tied his season-best leap in the high jump with a clearance of 6' 6-3/4", while Arnold clocked in at 56.43 in the 400m, topping her previous season-best by nearly two seconds.

The Bearcats return to the track April 30 - May 2, when UC welcomes 15 conference foes to Gettler Stadium for the 2010 BIG EAST Outdoor Track & Field Championships. Admission to the BIG EAST Championship is free on Friday, April 30 for all spectators. On Saturday, May 1, and Sunday, May 2, admission each day will be $4 for adults, $2 for children (18 and under), and seniors. Students that currently attend one of the 16 BIG EAST Conference institutions will be admitted free with a valid Student ID.