Men's Distance Runners Pace Team at C-USA Championship

Following Brent Des Roches's Thursday win in the 10,000 meters, the Marquette men's distance runners continued to lead the team, placing two runners in the points in the 3,000 meter steeplechase, at Cardinal Park in Louisville, Ky.

Freshman Jeremy Williams turned in yet another strong performance, taking third in the steeplechase with a time of 9:19.76, only five seconds off the winning pace. David Henderson followed Williams with a time of 9:26.66, finishing sixth.

Friday also saw the conclusion of the Decathlon, with Nick Newton closing strong to finish third, with 6,701 points. Matt Piekarski also made progress on day two, finishing sixth with 6,405 points.

Andy Ballard rounded out the scoring for the Marquette men on the day, finishing seventh in the shot put with a throw of 15.72 meters (51? 07?). Jonathon Rosploch finished just out of the points, with a ninth-place throw of 15.29 meters (50? 02?).

In other action during the rain-soaked day, Ryan Jacobson (800 meters), Jake Remitz (1,500 meters), Jon Shaffer (400 meter hurdles) also advanced through their respective preliminary heats to Saturday?s finals.

With 32 points, the men?s team sits only two points out of first place with 16 events to be decided on Saturday.

The women?s team also saw the distance runners spark the team, as Terri Emond and Audrey Schiltz finished third and fifth, respectively in the 3,000 meter steeplechase.

The team will look to the middle and long distance runners again tomorrow, as the Golden Eagles qualified three runners in the 1,500 meters (Michaela Courtney, Heidi Lindemann and Nina Hoppenjan). Jamie Haro will also compete in the 800 meter finals on Saturday, following her fifth-place qualifying time of 2:14.82.

With seven events complete, the women?s team stands in eighth place with 16 points, behind USF?s leading score of 38 points.