Irish Open NCAA East Region Competition

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Thunderstorms pushed the start times for the opening day of the NCAA East Region competition well into Thursday morning as the Notre Dame track and field squads began competition at the University of North Florida Wednesday and Thursday.

Michael Danzi ran a 3:40.82 in his heat of the 1,500m preliminaries while Daelen Ackley posted a 3:44.21 in another heat as the pair both qualified for the quarterfinals, which are set to take place on Saturday at 5:15 p.m. Well past midnight, Ethan Coleman ran a 29:03.36 to finish seventh overall in the 10,000m race and earn a spot at the NCAA Championships in Eugene, Oregon in June. Luke Himes was 19th in the shot put with an 18.27m effort.

On the women’s side, Jadin O’Brien finished 18th in the long jump (6.02m) and 35th in the 100m hurdles (13.47) while preparing for the heptathlon at the NCAA Championships. Gretchen Farley ran a 4:17.73 in the first round of the 1,500m race, and Jillian Stafford posted a 54.90m performance in the hammer. Erin Strzelecki led the Irish efforts in the 10,000m race with a season-best time of 33:26.32 to finish 17th. Amaya Aramini added a personal-best time of 33:51.28 to place 19th.

Day three of the NCAA East Region track and field competition begins at 9:30 a.m. on Friday at the University of North Florida.

Wednesday/Thursday Results

Men’s 1,500 M – Prelims
10. Michael Danzi – 3:40.82
29. Daelen Ackley – 3:44.21

Men’s 10,0000 M – Semifinal
7. Ethan Coleman – 29:03.36
18. Tyler Berg – 29:33.19
35. Josh Methner – 30:10.10
41. Cole Nash – 30:43.83

Shot Put – Prelims
19. Luke Himes – 18.27m

Women’s Hammer – Prelims
37. Jillian Stafford – 54.90m

Women’s Long Jump – Prelims
18. Jadin O’Brien – 6.02m

Women’s 100m Hurdles – Prelims
35. Jadin O’Brien – 13.47

Women’s 1500 M – Prelims
27. Gretchen Farley – 4:17.73

Women’s 10,000M – Semifinal
17. Erin Strzelecki – 33:26.32
19. Amaya Aramini – 33:51.28
31. Mary Bonner Dalton – 34:26.87
36. Arianne Olson – 34:44.41