Feb. 27, 2009

New York, N.Y. - The Fordham University men's and women's indoor track and field squads geared up for the ECAC/IC4A Championships by competing at the NYU Fastrack Invitational at the 168th St. Armory on Friday night. There was no team scoring.

The Rams had one event winner, the 4x800 relay of Paul Szczepaniak, Sam Stuart, Brian Schmidt and Brandon Ryan, that took first in a time of 7:54.76, almost four seconds ahead of Delaware.

The men's distance medley relay of Ryan Campi, Nick Delligatti, Stephen Donnelly and Tom Finnerty also performed well, placing second in a time of 10:20.87.

In men's individual results, Jason Grant took third in the high jump (6' 4.25"), Tom Finnerty placed fifth in the mile in a season-best time of 4:13.89, Brian Schmidt finished seventh in the 800m in a season-best time of 1:52.88, Brian Horowitz was ninth in the 1000m (2:32.25), Brian Riley took ninth in the mile (4:17.98), Tim Hutchinson placed 14th in the 800m (1:55.60), Clifton Hilario finished 21st in the 1000m (2:35.89), Ryan Serkes was 23rd in the 1000m (2:36.37), Kevin Fitzgerald took 26th in the 800m (1:57.71), Christopher Lyons placed 29th in the 400m (51.47), Nick Delligatti finished 35th in the 400m (52.23) and Ryan Campi was 35th in the mile (4:31.42).

For the Fordham women, Kelly Connolly was the top finisher, taking fifth in the 500m in a time of 1:18.16.

Also competing for the women were Catherine Groene, who placed 11th in the 500m (1:19.04) and 12th in the triple jump (36' 10.25"), Kathleen Reilly, who finished 21st 800m (2:22.83) and Christine Willeford, who took 36th 400m (1:01.40).

The women's 4x400 relay of Willeford, Reilly, Elisabeth Warren and Kerri Gallagher finished ninth in 3:59.77.

Members of the men's and women's indoor tack and field team will be in action again next weekend as they travel to Boston, Mass., to compete in the ECAC/IC4A Championships at the Reggie Lewis Center at Roxbury Community College.