Roanoke\'s Mueller runs NCAA qualifier in 800 at Richmond

Roanoke Women Win Nine Titles at Bridgewater Invitational, Men Win Two

RICHMOND, VA -- Roanoke College junior Dana Mueller ran an NCAA Division III Provisional Qualifying time in the men's 800 meters on Saturday afternoon at the University of Richmond outdoor track & field invitational in Richmond, VA, placing third in the race with a time of 1:51.85. Meanwhile, the Roanoke College women won nine different events at the Bridgewater College Invitational in Bridgewater, VA, with the RC men adding two individual titles.

With 500 meter remaining in the race, Mueller found himself in last place, but over the final leg of the race passed nine different runners to move up two third. The first place finisher was an unattached athlete, while second place went to a runner from Division I Virginia Commonwealth. Mueller's previous best during the outdoor season was a 1:54.93 at the Maroon Invitational last weekend.

In Bridgewater, VA, the Roanoke women had eight different athletes win individual competitions, while one relay team was victorious at the event, which was not scored on the team level. Senior Alexis Thompson, junior Kristen Lovell, and freshman Meredith Withers all won two separate events in Bridgewater. Thompson was the overall winner in the 200 meter dash (27.37) and the 400 meter dash (1:01.87), Lovell the best competitor in the discus (119' 6.75") and the hammer (120' 7"), setting a new school record in the hammer with the distance, and Withers the top finisher in the 100 meter hurdles (17.50) and the 400 meter hurdles (1:10.12).

Casandra Williams continued her excellence in the 100 meter dash, finishing first in 13.02 seconds. In the women's 800 meter run, junior Kat Martin was about five seconds better than her closest competitor, winning the race in 2:27.31. The Roanoke women also got a first place finish from the 4x100 meter relay team (Williams, Thompson, Withers, Martin) which posted a time of 51.05 seconds. Williams was also second in the 200 meters, Miranda Adkins second in the 800 meters, and Katie Suehs third in the hammer.

Sophomore Eric Johnson and junior Garrett Cosenza each picked up wins for the Roanoke men at the Bridgewater Invitational. Johnson's time of 16:21.90 in the 5,000 meter run was over 13 seconds better than the number-two runner. Cosenza was the meet's champion in the 400 meter dash. Cosenza finished the race in 49.65 seconds, nipping the second place runner by 0.37 seconds. Following Johnson across the line in the 5,000 meter race was teammate Andrew Parkins. Jason Turbyfill took third in the 800 meters (2:01.95), Bobby Hoffert third in the discus (41'), Brian Huff second in the hammer (127' 2"), and Jared Egger third in the same event (122' 4").

The Maroons are back in action next weekend in the Liberty University and Duke University Invitationals.