May 6, 2006

STORRS, Conn. - The Providence College men's and women's track teams competed in their first day of competition at the BIG EAST Outdoor Track Championships at the University of Connecticut in Storrs, Conn., on Saturday, May 6.

Senior Mary Cullen (Sligo, Ireland) was the Friars' top finisher as she placed second in the 10,000 meters in a time of 32:39.59. Her time of 32:39.59 is a personal best and also qualifies her for the NCAA Championship. Senior Ashley Jensen (Lincoln, R.I.) also ran the 10,000 meters and finished 16th in a time of 38:38.05.

On the men's side, senior Joe Dionne (Oshawa, Ontario) placed 11th (31:42.05) in the 10,000 meters. In the 800 meter preliminaries, senior Richard Jones (Wellington, New Zealand) finished 17th in a time of 1:53.15. Sophomore Max Smith (Dunedin, New Zealand) ran the 1,500 meter preliminaries and ran the third fastest time (3:48.48) to qualify for the finals on Sunday at 11:35 a.m.

The Friars will run on the final day of the BIG EAST Championship on May 7.