Villanova's track and field program took center stage this past weekend, as the Wildcats dominated the Lehigh Games, held at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pa.
Tamieka Grizzle (So., Bronx, N.Y.) and Steve Bienko (Jr., Tranquility, N.J.) led the way for Villanova, as both individuals were double winners on the afternoon. Grizzle, an All-American and Big East Champion, captured the title in both the 800m and 1500m, running a meet-record and ECAC-qualifying time of 2:12.27 in the 800m Bienko ran away with championships in the discus and shot put, earning IC4A qualifying marks in both events.
Ann McGranahan (Fr., Pensacola, Fla.) returned from injury to capture the 3000m run title in 9:49.21, a meet record and ECAC qualifying mark, while Leashia Rahr (So., Syracuse, N.Y.) excelled in the 400m. Rahr posted a championship run of 57.37, the best run ever at the Lehigh Games in the event.
Three other Wildcat men also won their respective events. Greg Young (So., Wilmington, Mass.) qualified for the IC4A Championships in the 400m with a run of 48.76, also a meet record, while Coulby Dunn (Jr., Greentown, Pa.) looked strong in the 1500m with a time of 3:55.93. Dunn's time marked the best-ever run at the Lehigh Games in the 1500m
Barry Flicker (Fr., Pottstown, Pa.) added to Villanova's dominance in the field, recording his second-straight victory in the javelin. Flicker, currently the Big East Conference leader in the javelin throw, threw for a mark of 58.68m.
In addition to its host of individual winners, Villanova got standout performances from Dean Smith (So., Phoenix, Md.), who placed second in the steeplechase, and Kevin Coyne (Jr., Springfield, Va.) who was the runner-up in the pole vault competition. On the women's side, Sarah Hunt (So., Langhorne, Pa.) performed in three field events, placing third in the hammer and discus throws.
Head coach John Marshall also sent four individuals to the UTEP Track Invitational in El Paso, Texas. Charmaine Walker (Fr., Plainfield, N.J.), an NCAA indoor All-American in the sprint hurdles, was the highlight of the Wildcats' effort. The rookie earned a provisional mark in the 100m event with a run of 13.52.
The Wildcats will tune up for the Penn Relays this weekend with meets atMt. San Antonio College in California on the 17th, and Widener University on the 18th.
The Lehigh GamesApril 11, 1998 ~ Lehigh University ~ Bethlehem, Pa.Villanova Men's Results110m High Hurdles5. Gary Thau 16.36400m Hurdles4. Shaun Stanton 57.175. Gary Thau 57.51400m1. Greg Young 48.76%*3. Maulan Byron 49.50%20. Mark Kruszewski 52.921500m1. Coulby Dunn 3:55.93%3. Rich Morris 4:04.213000m Steeplechase2. Dean Smith 9:26.725. Brock Butler 9:40.43400m Relay7. Villanova 46.18 Javelin1. Barry Flicker 58.68m*5. Ryan Burns 51.26m11. Christopher Rice 44.92mDiscus1. Steve Bienko 48.90*Shot Put1. Steve Bienko 49-1.5*Pole Vault2. Kevin Coyne 14-0.0Villanova Women's Results200m22. Chantell Parks 28.80400m1. Leashia Rahr 57.37%800m1. Tamieka Grizzle 2:12.27*%4. Geraldine McCarthy 2:18.4818. Susan Billings 2:33.621500m1. Tamieka Grizzle 4:38.512. Lony'e Johnson 4:42.345. Geraldine McCarthy 4:45.533000m1. Ann McGranahan 9:49.21%9. Katie Blackett 10:52.21Shot Put4. Sara Hunt 37-1.0Discus3. Sarah Hunt 41.86m11. Melissa Guinivan 31.01mJavelin6. April Kottles 29.47m11. Sarah Hunt 25.75mHammer3. Sarah Hunt 142-3.010. Melissa Guinivan 109-0.0
UTEP Track InvitationalApril 11, 1998 ~ University of Texas-El Paso El Paso, TexasVillanova ResultsWomen's 100m Hurdles2. Charmaine Walker 13.52$ (heat)Men's 400m Hurldles3. Kareem Archer 50.43$ (heat)3. Michael Brown 54.18 (heat)Women's Long Jump7. Marlena Robinson 19-8.50
*ECAC/IC4A Qualifying mark; $NCAA Provisional Qualifier; %Lehigh Games meet record.
