May 30, 2003

FAIRFAX, VA. - The Providence College men's and women's outdoor track and field teams competed in the opening day of competition at the 2003 NCAA East Regional on Friday, May 30 in Fairfax, Va. on the campus of George Mason University.

Junior Brooke Freeburg (Waterford, Pa.) opened the competition for the Friars with a sixth-place finish in the javelin (46.70 meters). Freeburg missed an automatic bid to the NCAA Championships, as only the top-five finishers automatically qualify. However, she remains in the hunt for a possible at-large invitation. At-large bids will be announced by the NCAA Office on Tuesday, June 2. Freshman Krista Woodward (Georgia) won the event with a throw of 51.29 meters.

In the women's 1,500 meter run (preliminaries), freshman Fiona Crombie (Christchurch, New Zealand) placed sixth in her heat (4:33.82), while senior Emer O'Shea (Limerick, Ireland) finished 10th in her heat (4:43.38). In the three heats, the top three finishers in each heat, along with the next three best times automatically qualified for the NCAA Championships. In the men's 1,500 meter run (preliminaries), sophomore Liam Reale (Hospital, Ireland) pulled out of the race just at the kilometer mark.

In the men's 800-meter run, freshman Richard Jones (Wellington, New Zealand) finished seventh in his heat (1:53.94). In five heats, the winner of each heat, along with the next three best times automatically qualified for the NCAA Championships.

In the last women's event of the afternoon, sophomore Mary Cullen (Sligo, Ireland) placed fourth in the 5,000 meter run with a personal best time of 15:56.19. With her finish, Cullen automatically advances to the NCAA Championship on June 11-14 in Sacramento, Calif.

In the men's 5,000 meter final, senior Tyler McCabe (Mystic, Conn.) led all Providence runners with an 11th-place finish in a personal best time of 14:15.02. Senior Paul Reilly (Loughrea, Ireland) finished 19th (14:25.46), senior Adam Sutton (Preston, England) placed 21st (14:26.53) and sophomore Patrick Moulton (Pelham, N.H.) finished 27th (14:34.18).

On Saturday, May 31 the Friars will return to action as senior Roisin McGettigan (Wicklow, Ireland) competes in the women's 3,000-meter steeplechase. Sophomore Patrick Guidera (Clonmel, Ireland) will compete in the men's 3,000-meter steeplechase.

Providence College Men's and Women's Outdoor Track & Field
2003 NCAA East Regional - George Mason University - Fairfax, Va.
May 30-31, 2003


Women's Results - May 30th
Athlete	           Event	        Place	Distance/Time
Brooke Freeburg    Javelin (finals) 	6th	46.70 meters
Fiona Crombie	   1,500m (prelims)	--	4:33.82
Emer O'Shea	   1,500m (prelims)	--	4:43.38
Mary Cullen	   5,000m (finals)	4th *	15:56.19 ^	^ Personal best

* Automatically advances to the NCAA Championships on June 11-14, 2003 in Sacramento, California


Men's Results - May 30th
Athlete	           Event	        Place	Distance/Time
Liam Reale	   1,500m (prelims)	DNF	--
Richard Jones	   800m (prelims)	--	1:53.94
Tyler McCabe	   5,000m (finals)	11th	14:15.02 ^	^ Personal best
Paul Reilly	   5,000m (finals)	19th	14:25.46
Adam Sutton	   5,000m (finals)	21st	14:26.53
Patrick Moulton	   5,000m (finals)	27th	14:34.18