May 31, 2009

GREENSBORO, N.C. - The top schools in the nation competed this weekend at the NCAA East Regionals held at the University of North Carolina A&T on Saturday, May 30, 2009. David McCarthy (Waterford, Ireland) continued his impressive season, claiming the 1,500 meter East Region Championship title and qualifying for the 2009 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships to be held at the University of Arkansas on June 10-14, 2009.

In the 1,500 meter final, McCarthy, who was the fastest qualifier, proved he was superior by winning the race in a time of 3:41.37. McCarthy out-kicked the field, beating sophomore Matthew Gibney of Villanova, who was the indoor BIG EAST mile champion and Georgetown senior Liam Boylan-Pett, the outdoor BIG EAST 1,500 meter champion. McCarthy will look to complete a grand season, and claim All-American honors for the third-time this year when he runs at the NCAA Championships.

In the 5,000 meters on the women's side, senior Danette Doetzel (Macklin, Sask.) placed ninth in a time of 16:25.67. Doetzel has already qualified for the NCAA Championship in the 10,000 meters, and will look to improve upon her second-place finish at last year's championship.

In the women's 3,000 meter steeplechase, freshman Hannah Davidson (Saratoga Springs, N.Y.) placed 10th in a time of 10:35.29. Davidson is a hopeful for an at-large bid into the NCAA Championships in the steeplechase, her season-best of 10:15.97 ranks her amongst the top-25 in the nation.

The next race for the Friars is the 2009 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships at the University of Arkansas (Fayettville, Ark.) on June 10-14, 2009.

-GO FRIARS-