Feb. 14, 2010

Track and Field Videos on Flotrack

AMES, Iowa - Led by its strong showing in the 800-meter run, the Navy men's track team delivered five IC4A qualifying-performances over the weekend at the Iowa State Classic at the Lied Recreational Center.

Competing at the event for the fifth year in a row, the Midshipmen took to the track alongside a loaded field, which featured nine teams ranked among the nation's top-50 squads.

The highlight of the weekend's action came on Saturday as three Midshipmen produced career-best times in the 800. Sophomore Matthew Evers (Bellevue, Neb.) led Navy's cast of half-milers, shaving nine-tenths of a second off his previous PR (1:52.51) with a time of 1:52.42 to finish 23rd overall in the seeded 800-field. The effort improves his IC4A standing and ensures that Evers will head into next weekend's Patriot League Championship as the top seed in the 800.

Earlier in the day, Navy junior David Ash (Williamston, Mich.) and George Stevenson (Twinsburg, Ohio) both produced career-best, IC4A clockings of their own. Ash finished ninth against an unseeded field with a time of 1:53.61, while Stevenson placed 15th in 1:53.92.

Senior Matthew Hanley (Rapid City, S.D.) also turned in a season-best and IC4A effort in the 60 hurdles, clocking in at 8.22 seconds to qualify for the finals in the event. Hanley finished 16th overall after turning in a 8.29 showing in the finals.

The Navy men will now begin an important two week stretch, beginning next weekend when they head up to West Point for the three-day, Patriot League Track Championships from Feb. 19-21. The Midshipmen, who were picked to finish second in the league's preseason poll, placed third at last year's indoor league championship in Annapolis.

Following next weekend's league meet, the Mids will return home where they will prepare to host Army in the annual Star Meet on Saturday, Feb. 27 at the Wesley A. Brown Field House.

Navy Men's Track Performances at the ISU ClassicEventName            Mark            FinishLong JumpMiles Snelgrove  6.85m / 22-05.75    18th
High Jump (Unseeded)Joshua Houston        2.01m / 6-07.00 T-5th
Weight ThrowMark Van Orden         17.67m / 57-11.75   19thChris Ricks      15.67m / 51-05.00   38thNicholas Porter     15.40m / 50-06.25   41stTyrell Arment      15.00m / 49-02.50   44th
200Alex Jackson        22.57           66thTravis Fanning        22.84           86th
400Alex Jackson        50.30           35thTravis Fanning        50.40           40th
800 (Seeded)Matthew Evers      1:52.42         23rd
800 (Unseeded)David Ash      1:53.61         9thGeorge Stevenson    1:53.92         15thLucas Connelly            1:57.08         35th
60 HurdlesMatthew Hanley            8.22            16th-prelimsMatthew Hanley            8.29            16th-finals
600Branden Roy          1:11.59         5th
Shot PutChris Boniwell            14.61m / 47-11.25       32nd
4x400Roy/Evers/Stevenson/Ash 3:22.03             37th
## GO NAVY! ##