March 18, 2000

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - The Wake Forest men's and women's track teams competed in the UNCC 49er Invitational this weekend, and six Deacons earned first-place finishes in their events. The meet marked the Deacons first outdoor competition this year.

The women's team was led by junior Sara Day, who posted the top finish in the 5,000 meters. Day finished the event in 17:00.01. Kathleen Kuhnert placed third with a time of 18:00.62. Valerie Waldron took top Wake honors in the 1,500 meters. She clocked in at 4:47.55.

In the field events, Rachel Burns took the top Wake finish in the high jump. She placed fifth with a distance of 1.53m. Sophomore Elena Perea jumped 1.43 meters and took sixth. Tasha Pinckney finished sixth in the javelin. She threw 31.18 and was the only Deac in that event. Elizabeth Washam was seventh in the pole vault with a distance of 2.60 meters.

The Wake Forest men had five top finishers in Charlotte. Reggie Austin edged teammate John Stone for first place in the 100 meter dash. Austin finished the event in 10:49, while Stone clocked in at 10:64. Michael Altieri finished two seconds ahead of the pack in the 1,500 meter run. Altieri crossed the finish line at 3:52.36. In the 3,000 meter run, Chris Estwanik took first after running the event in 8:18.28. Christian Laugen was another top finisher. Laugen topped the field in the 3,000 meter steeplechase, finishing in 9:24.20. Cliff Neal was Wakes final first-place finisher. Neal took the individual title in the hammer throw with a distance of 52.79m.

Josh Buffolino placed third in the 800 meter run with a time of 1:54.43. Stephan Pro was sixth in the 1,500 meters. Pro finished in 3:57.06. Jack Bishop was five seconds behind Laugen in the steeplechase to finish second with a time of 9:29.12. The Deacon 4x100 meter relay squad placed second with a time of 41:92, while the 4x400 meter squad finished in 3:23.68 for fourth place.

Scott Holmes and Alan Susi were among the Deacs leaders in the field events. Holmes took second place in the pole vault with a distance of 4.60 meters. Susi, who competed in the javelin throw, also placed second, throwing a distance of 52.72 meters. Joe Ladapo, John Bull, Michael Eskind and Matt Udvari were all top-10 finishers in the decathlon. Ladapo placed fourth with a score of 6,273, and Bulls fifth-place finish was the result of 6,272 points. Eskind and Udvari placed seventh and eighth, respectively, with 6,185 and 5,983 points.

Both womens and mens track teams will continue their outdoor seasons at the Florida Relays in Gainesville, FL March 23-25.