May 28, 2004

GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- The Providence College men's and women's outdoor track teams competed in the first day of competition at the NCAA East Regional Championship on May 28 in Gainesville, Fla.

Junior Kim Smith (Auckland, New Zealand) led the Friars as she captured the 5,000 meters in a time of 15:51.03. With her first-place finish, Smith qualified for the NCAA Championship on June 9-12 in Austin, Texas. Sophomore Fiona Crombie (Christchurch, New Zealand) finished fourth (4:25.87) in her heat of the 1,500 meter preliminaries and junior Deirdre Byrne (Avoca, Ireland) placed 6th (4:26.70). Both runners qualified for the 1,500 finals on Saturday.

In the men's 1,500 meter preliminaries, junior Liam Reale (Hospital, Ireland) finished fourth (3:49.93) in his heat and qualified for the 1,500 meter finals on Saturday. In the 5,000 meters, sophomore Martin Fagan (Mullingar, Ireland) placed eighth (14:27.28) and junior Pat Moulton (Pelham, N.H.) was 11th (14:37.7).