DOYLE SMASHES SCHOOL RECORD IN 3,000 METERS FRIDAY; MEN'S 4X400 SET NEW MARK SATURDAY

January 30, 2010

BRYANT INDOOR TRACK & FIELD TEAMS COMPETE AT REEBOK INDOOR GAMES AND BU TERRIER INVITATIONAL

REEBOK MEN / REEBOK WOMEN / BU TERRIER DAY 1 (WOMEN)

Full BU Terrier Invitational Results - MEN - WOMEN

BOSTON – The Bryant University men’s and women’s indoor track & field teams took part in both the Reebok Boston Indoor Games and the Boston University Invitational this weekend. 

Highlighting Friday’s portion of the two meets was freshman Deirdre Doyle’s performance in the women’s 3,000 meters.  Doyle, competing at the BU Terrier Invite, placed 24th overall but shattered her previous school record by clocking in at 9 minutes, 55.93 seconds.  Her previous best was 10:07.04 set back in December. 

Doyle’s time qualifies her for the ECAC Championships.  Also competing with Doyle at the meet was Megan Robertson who earned a personal best with a time of 10:38.37 to place 47th.

Across town at the Reebok Indoor Games, the Bulldogs got several outstanding performances, particularly in the sprints where familiar names continue to dominate.  Thomas O’Connor, running in the 400 meters indoor for the first time this season, placed second overall in the meet with a time of 50.79 seconds.  Teammate Joe Pugliano was 18th in 53.19. 

Standout Alex Engel ran very well in the 200 meters as the senior placed fifth in the event in 22.43 while teammate Andrew Fitzgerald was 35th in 24.04.  Mike DiBella too sixth in the 500 meters (1:06.99).

In the field events, Chris Brida was 12th in the long jump Friday, clearing 20 feet, 9.75 inches. 

Engel was on his game again Saturday as the Bulldog placed eighth overall in the 400 meters in a time of 48.61, good enough to earn a trip to the IC4A Championships.  Engel was second in his heat with three of the top finishers competing unattached.

Later on Saturday, Engel and the 4x400 meter relay squad consisting of teammates DiBella, O’Connor and Pugliano qualified for the IC4A Championships but more importantly, set a new school record with a fast time of 3:18.35.