May 21, 2002

Cullowhee, N.C. - The Catamount track and field team closed out their season at the Georgia Tech Tack Invitational over the weekend among a vast field of competitors. This was a very successful year for the Cats as they finished second in the Southern Conference in men's and women's competition, broke several personal and school records and had more than one provisional qualifier for the NCAA Championships.

In Atlanta, James Irwin finished the 1,500 meter run with a time of 4:04.20 and the 800 meter run at 1:56.40. Caleb Bailey finished 11th in the 800 coming in at 1:50.19. Milton Bolton ran the 400 meter in 48.04. Seajae Hartness finished in 11th in the pole vault, clearing 14' 10.25". For the women, Leslie Martin ran the 800 meter in 2:16.98 and Laura Tieszen finished tied for sixth in the pole vault with a vault of 11' 10".

Virginia LaCombe has begun preparations in the high jump for the NCAA Outdoor Championships at Louisiana State University. She is scheduled to jump at 6:30 pm CT on Thursday, May 30. LaCombe also competed in the high jump at the Indoor Championships in Arkansas earlier this year where she finished 16th in the nation.