Cook Wins 1k Among Two IC4A Qualifiers at Last Chance Invite

Results

Staten Island, N.Y. – The Fordham track & field teams competed at Saturday's Last Chance Invitational with, as the name of the meet suggests, one last attempt at regional qualifying times in select races before next weekend's ECAC/IC4A Championships. Among 14 runners, two Rams qualified, including Brian Cook's victory in the 1,000 meter.
 
Cook participated in the event for the first time this year and blew past the competition in 2:27.58, one second better than the standard for IC4A times. Also qualifying for next weekend's meet up at Boston University was Sean Phillips' 4:12.65 time in the mile. Both are career-bests.
 
Jared Benn, with three IC4A times this season to his credit, ran in the 400 meter in 49.90, missing the qualifying time by .7 seconds. Four Rams ran in the 800 meter, Louis Santelli, Fritz Heinrich, Ryan McGann, and Michael Campbell. Santelli crossed 14^th overall in 1:56.14, Heinrich 16^th in 1:56.37, McGann in 18^th with a 1:57.40 time, and Campbell in 1:59.24 in 28^th.
 
Also running in the mile alongside Phillips were Thomas Slattery (17^th – 4:15.04) and Nik O'Brien (19^th – 4:15.26).
 
There were no qualifiers among the women but four of the five competitors set new personal records.
 
Merissa Wright missed an ECAC time in the 400 meter by .35 seconds with her 57.39 and fourth-place finish. Danielle Rowe finished right behind her in 57.73 and was the lone Ram to not set a new personal best time. Morgan Menzzasalma rounded out the Fordham runners in the event with a 9^th-place finish in 59.11.
 
Shanna Heaney, already with six different ECAC-qualifying events this season, missed out on adding the mile to her resume by two seconds. She finished eighth in 5:01.15, 11 seconds better than her previous best in the competition. Kate McCormack ran 5:07.33 in the event and finished 10^th.
 
Overall, Fordham has 17 ECAC and IC4A qualifying times this season. 10 on the women's side and seven on the men's.  
 
The regional championships will take place at Boston University's Track & Tennis Center, starting on Saturday, March 5, at 9 a.m.