Bucknell Track and Field Opens Competition at Duke Invitational

Katie Pfeifer is Bucknell's Only Event Winner on Friday, Qualifying for ECAC Competition in 10K

Ryan Newberger had two top-six finishes on Friday at the Duke Invitational.

April 2, 2004

DURHAM, N.C. - The Bucknell track and field team split its squad once again this weekend, with many running athletes competing in the two-day Duke Invitational starting Friday and with field event athletes at the Maryland Invitational on Saturday. Katie Pfeifer's win in the 10,000 meters registered as the only event winner for the Orange and Blue on day one at Duke.

Pfeifer finished the day's longest race in 36:48.17, the seventh-fastest time in Bucknell annals and 1:22.47 faster than her finish last week at the Stanford Invitational, at the time the 10th-best finish in school history. She bested the second-place finisher, Trista Neinast of Albany, by 21.96 seconds and beat the ECAC qualifying standard by 51.83 seconds.

While the meet is not scored, the Bison did have six athletes turn in top-six performances in their races, with Ryan Newberger finishing in scoring position in two events. The junior took fourth in the unseeded 200 meters in 21.89 seconds, as well as sixth in the unseeded 100 meters in 11.22 seconds. Catherine Trentacoste finished sixth in the unseeded 100-meter hurdles in 16.10 seconds, while Mike Mellas took fifth in the men's unseeded 110-meter hurdle race in 15.83 seconds. Alison Cole took fifth in the 10K behind Pfeifer, finishing in 38:44.98, and Justin McKnight finished sixth in the javelin throw with a toss of 185'9".

Competition continues Saturday with most of the races seeded. Bucknell athletes will commence competition at Maryland's meet Saturday as well.