Manhattan University Athletics

Princeton, N.J. (April 6, 2007)? Milos Vuckovic ran the steeple chase for the first time during his collegiate career, becoming an IC4A qualifier in the process.  Vuckovic's success in the event came on the same day that a number of other Manhattan distance runners, including women's steeple chaser Erin Kennedy, turned in career performances at Princeton University's Sam Howell Invitational.

Clocking in at 9:07.68, Vuckovic claimed second place overall in the steeple chase behind only Bucknell University's Matthew Forys.  Had Vuckovic been able to trim only 68 hundredths of a second off his time he would have also guaranteed himself a trip to in Gainesville, Fla. for the NCAA East Region Championships in May.  For now, Vuckovic will have to settle for a return trip to Princeton when the IC4A Championships commence on May 11.

After having no prior experience in the steeple chase until assistant coach Sara Vergote recently approached her with the idea of taking up the event, Kennedy became the new women's program record holder with her time of 11:39.71.  In earning her new moniker, Kennedy broke freshman Lindsay Southard's week-old record. 

Southard set the mark at last weekend's SCSU Owl Invitational where the freshman along with sophomores Kennedy and Sarah Rogers ran the steeple chase for the first time during their Manhattan careers.  In her second year as a Manhattan mentor, Vergote is attempting to help the three ladies improve in an event she personally excelled at during her collegiate years at the University of Toledo.  Vergote was the 2003 Mid-American Conference champion in the 3000m steeple, and also qualified for the NCAA National Championships as a steeple chaser.

On Friday evening, Southard took a break from the barricades and focused on the 5000m run in which she posted a new personal record of 18:18.35 to finish 35th overall.  Sophomore Melissa Trauscht followed her teammate's lead by also setting a personal best in the 5K at 18:36.49.

The story was the same for junior Tom Murphy in the men's 5K.  Murphy clocked in at 15:17.99 to register his new PR.

Junior Joe McElhoney and sophomore Ellen Dobbin had to run an additional 5000m to the finish line, but they also set new personal bests.  McElhoney completed the men's 10K in 31:56.70, while Dobbin registered a time of 39:53.82 in the women's field.

Manhattan resumes competition at the Sam Howell Invitational on Saturday, April 7 at 10:00 a.m.