June 6, 2003

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- The Friar women's track team will compete at the 2003 NCAA Championships on June 11-14 at California State University in Sacramento, Calif. Seniors Roisin McGettigan and Brooke Freeburg,as well as sophomore Mary Cullen have qualified for the competition.

Roisin McGettigan (Wicklow, Ireland) will be the first to represent the Friars at this year's championship meet, competing in the first round of the 3,000 meter steeplechase on June 11 at 6:30 p.m. McGettigan qualified for the NCAA Championship by winning the steeplechase at the NCAA East Regionals in a time of 10:03.55 on May 3. McGettigan, who is the only woman to ever win the BIG EAST 3,000 meter steeplechase, won her third consecutive title this spring in a time of 9:58.26, which was the fourth fastest collegiate time in the U.S. this year. Her time is the fastest ever run by an Irish woman in the 3,000 meter steeplechase. McGettigan has competed at the NCAA Championships twice before and earned All-America honors in the steeplechase at last year's championship meet placing 8th in a time of 10:08.24.

Brooke Freeburg (Waterford, Pa.) also will compete for the Friars on June 11 in the qualifying round of the javelin at 8:05 p.m. Freeburg, who placed sixth in the NCAA East Regional Championships on May 30 with a throw of 46.70 meters, had a season best throw of 48.51 meters at the Penn Relays on April 24. In 2001, she earned All-America accolades in the javelin and last year she placed 19th at the NCAA Championship.

Finally, on June 11 the Friars will be represented in the first round of the women's 5,000 meter race by sophomore Mary Cullen (Sligo, Ireland) who will run at 9:20 p.m. Cullen qualified by placing fourth in the NCAA East Regional Championships with a time of 15:56.96. Although this is the first time she has qualified for the NCAA Championships, Cullen has registered three impressive second-place finishes in the 5,000 this spring. She placed second (16:23.32) at the Raleigh Relays on March 28, second (16:09.49) at the Penn Relays on April 24 and second (16:05.83) at the BIG EAST Championship on May 3. Cullen earned her first All-America honor in the fall when she finished 28th at the NCAA Cross Country Championship.

2003 DIVISION NCAA OUTDOOR TRACK CHAMPIONSHIPS -- JUNE11-14 -- CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, SACRAMENTO, CALIF.

June 11, 2003
Roisin McGettigan (6:30 p.m.)	3,000m Steeple (1st Round)
Brooke Freeburg (8:05 p.m.)	Javelin (Qualifying Round)
Mary Cullen (9:20 p.m.)	5,000m (1st Round)

June 13, 2003
Brooke Freeburg (7:00 p.m.)	Javelin (Final Round)
Roisin McGettigan (7:50 p.m.)	3,000m Steeple (Final Round)

June 14, 2003
Mary Cullen (8:40 p.m.)	5,000m (Final Round)