May 3, 2008

VILLANOVA, Pa. -- Providence College junior Danette Doetzel (Macklin, Saskatchewan) captured the women's 10,000 meter title in a time of 33:27.64 in the first day of competition at the 2008 BIG EAST Outdoor Championship at Villanova, Pa. Doetzel is the fourth Friar all-time to capture the BIG EAST 10,000 and the first since Kim Smith won in 2004. With her time of 33:27.64, Doetzel qualified for the NCAAs.

Junior Sarah Morgan (Waikato, New Zealand) and senior Michelle Childs (Cameron, Ontario) also ran the 10,000. Morgan placed sixth in a time of 35:43.02 and Childs finished ninth in a time of 35:53.87.

On the men's side, sophomore Hayden McLaren (Christchurch, New Zealand) finished eighth (3:41.30) and senior Max Smith (Dunedin, New Zealand) placed 10th (3:45.33) in the 1,500 meter preliminaries. Both runners advanced to finals on Sunday and qualified for the NCAA Regionals. Senior Chris McDermott (New Haven, Conn.) also ran the 1,500 and placed 14th in the preliminaries (3:53.29).

In the 800 meter preliminaries, junior Charles Dewey (Worcester, Mass.) finished 13th (1:51.84) and senior James Lourenco (West Warwick, R.I.) placed 21st (1:53.35).

Freshman Stephen Justus threw the javelin for the Friars and placed 11th (54.17 meters).

The Friar men's and women's track teams will return to action on for the final day of the BIG EAST Championship on Sunday, May 4.