FIGHTING SCOTS SHINE AT NCAA DIVISION II TRACK & FIELD NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

EDINBORO, PA – While strong winds and heat made for less than ideal conditions, the Edinboro University track & field contingent turned in a strong performance in the first day of the NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field national Championships. Angelo State is hosting the three-day event in San Angelo, TX.

The Edinboro women’s team is tied for fifth place in the team standings, while the men’s team is tied for seventh. Western State leads in both the men’s and women’s competition. A total of six Fighting Scots qualified for the championships.

Two Fighting Scots captured All-American honors, both in the 10,000 meters and both hailing from Dublin, Ohio. Aaron Rowe (Dublin, OH/Dublin Sciota) turned in a time of 31:17.91 to finish third. The junior was the first American to cross the finish line, trailing champion Michael Aish of Western State, an Olympian from New Zeeland who ran a 31:08.48, and Zephirinus Joseph of North Florida, who finished with a time of 31:12.80. Head coach Doug Watts noted that while the pace was slow until the last mile, Rowe “ran a very, very good race, particularly well over the last 800 meters”. Yi Min Wu (Tian Jin, China), competing for his final time as a Fighting Scot, was unable to overcome a pulled calf muscle suffered in the recent PSAC Championships, and placed 15th with a time of 32:50.51.

Senior Lisa Petsche (Dublin, OH/Dublin Coffman) joined Rowe as an All-American. Petsche also brought home a third place finish in the 10,000 meters, and like Rowe was the first American to cross the finish line. An exact time was not available, but it was her fastest this year, despite the conditions. A four-time cross country All-American, Petsche previously captured All-American honors in track in the same event in 1999.

Three other Fighting Scots advanced to the finals in their respective events after turning in strong performances in their heats. For the men, Nat Wibberley (Wyomissing, PA/Wyomissing) was the last competitor to make the field in the 3,000 meter steeplechase, but advanced to the finals with a fifth place in his heat. The junior finished with a time of 9:37.89.

On the women’s side, Kathy Breisch (Quakertown, PA/Quakertown) also competed in the 3,000 meter steeplechase after earning All-American honors a year ago. The senior kept alive her chance for a repeat, finishing fourth in her heat with a time of 11:24.83. Senior Jocelyn Smith (Pittsburgh, PA/Shaler) placed fifth in her heat of the 3,000 meter run with a time of 10:19.67.

Wibberley, Breisch and Smith will compete in the finals of their events on Friday. In addition, Rowe and Petsche will compete in the 5,000 meter run, with the preliminaries scheduled for Friday and the finals for Saturday.

~ Fighting Scots ~

Edinboro Athletic Press Release Index

Created on ... May 24, 2002