05.07.05 - With the success his distance runners have had this
season, Coach King is trying to create an opportunity for a few of those
runners to qualify for the NAIA Outdoor Track & Field National
Championships in the 4x800 meter relay. Since the Foresters have not
had an opportunity to run a 4x800 relay at a meet this spring, he took his
top five 800 meter runners to the Butler Twilight meet held at IUPUI.
He had them each run in the 800 meter race as preparation for an attempt
to qualify in the relay event on Thursday this week.
Joel Sanders, HC's top finisher in the race,
ran a school-record 1:52.78 to finish third. The previous record of
1:53.91 was set by Jay Weiseman in 1996. Cody Hannie was right
behind Sanders crossing the line fourth in 1:53.98. David St. Louis
placed seventh in 1:58.78, Joseph Waithira was 10th in 2:01.67, and Jared
Neale came in 20th in 2:08.42.
In order for the team to qualify for Nationals, they must post a time of
7:54.00 or better in the relay. With three of the top four breaking
the two minute mark, their chances are looking pretty good. If the
relay team would not qualify, both Sanders and Hannie are still guaranteed
a trip to Nationals, which will be held May 26-28 in Louisville, Kentucky,
as both have now met the qualifying standards in the 800 meter race. |
