April 8, 2000

DURHAM, N.C. -- Both the Wake Forest men's and women's track teams finished the first day of competition in the Duke Invitational this weekend at Duke's Wallace Wade Stadium in Durham, NC.

After Friday's competition, on the women's side, senior Janelle Kraus was second in the 5,000 meter run with a time of 16:09.41. Kraus' time was good enough to automatically qualify her for the national championships, which will also be held in Durham May 30-June 4. Kraus was the first collegiate athlete to place in the 5,000.

Junior Erin Haugh finished in 14th place in the 5,000 meter run with a time of 17:23.32. That time marked Haugh's personal best in the 5,000, and was the third best time on the Wake Forest team this season in that event. In the 100 meter hurdles, sophomore Rachel Burns stood in 19th place with a time of 16.53. It was the best time for the Deacons in that event this season.

In men's action, sophomore Cliff Neal was in ninth place in the men's hammer throw with a distance of 54.38m. In the 5,000 meter run, senior Jay Penry placed 28th in a field of more than 120 competitors with a time of 14:47.80. Ryan Hamilton placed 12th in the 400 meter dash with a time of 48.46.

The Duke Invitational will resume on Saturday at 8:30 AM.