May 21, 2009

Seniors Christina DaLomba (Marstons Mills, MA) and Sarah Brassard (Oxford, MA), and junior Doug Caves (Oxford, MA) each reached the finals in their events to lead UMass Lowell at the NCAA Division II Track and Field Championship at Angelo State University.

"If you had told me yesterday that we have three out of five athletes in the finals, I would've been very happy with that," said Head Coach Gary Gardner. "We wanted five out of five, but it was a good night overall."

The top eight finishers in each event are crowned All-Americans. DaLomba, competing at the NCAA Championship for the first time as an individual, placed sixth overall and third in her heat in the women's 1,500 meter preliminary in 4:33.78.

DaLomba, who entered the NCAA Championship seeded 12th, finished less than a second off her own school record time of 4:32.93. She moves on to the final which is scheduled Saturday at 7:05 p.m.

"Christina ran very composed," Gardner said. "She closed very well in the final straightaway to get that last automatic spot for the final. She's been running and training so well all spring. Physically, I knew she was capable of getting to the final, so we're real happy right now."

Also competing in the NCAAs for the first time individually, Brassard placed eighth overall (fourth in her group) in the women's 3,000 meter steeplechase preliminary with time of 11:03.29. Seeded 13th entering Thursday's race, Brassard booked her place in Saturday's final, slated for 6:25 p.m.

"Sarah ran an incredibly confident race," said Gardner. "She was in last place for the first 1,000 meters and slowly worked her way through the pack. She actually could've caught the woman who was in third in her section, but I yelled at her to stay composed, which she did."

Caves placed eighth in the 400 meter dash preliminary in 47.03 seconds, snatching the last spot for Saturday's championship (6:54 p.m.).

Caves, who finished third in his group, is guaranteed All-America status as the 400 meter dash final consists of the top eight entries.

"There were 11 guys under 47 seconds this year. It is by far the best field that I've ever seen," Gardner noted. "The guy he beat out for the last spot (Raymond Radway of Abilene Christian) is the defending national champion. That's how good the field is.

"Doug got out well the first 100 meters, then he settled in a little too much, but he closed really well the last 75 meters, passing three people," Gardner said. "That was the key."

Senior Andrew Grange (Methuen, MA) placed 16th in the 400 preliminary in 47.83 seconds as 0.80 seconds separated places eight through 16. Grange, a seven-time All-American during his career, has a chance to eclipse the school record for All-American honors as he and Caves lead UMass Lowell's 4X400 meter relay team in the preliminary Friday at 10:40 p.m.

Also falling just short of advancing to the final was junior Tim Guerin (Auburn, MA), who placed 15th in the 3,000 meter steeplechase preliminary in 9:53.97.

UMass Lowell continues on Friday as junior Haley Catarius (Marshfield, MA) enters the 800 meters preliminary at 7:40 p.m. while junior Jacqui Barrett (Woburn, MA) competes in the shot put at 8:30 p.m., followed by the men's 4X400 meter relay preliminary at 10:40.

UMass Lowell 2009 NCAA Championship Schedule

Angelo State University - San Angelo, TX

Friday, May 22

Women's 800 Meters Preliminary (Haley Catarius), 7:40

Women's Shot Put (Jacqui Barrett), 8:30

Men's 4X400 Meter Relay Prelim. (Caves, Grange, Robert Liekweg, Jeff Wundt), 10:40

Saturday, May 23

Women's 3,000 Meter Steeplechase Final (Sarah Brassard), 6:10

Women's High Jump (Lauren Raimondi)

6:35 Men's 400 Meter Dash Final (Doug Caves)

6:54 Women's 1,500 Meters Final (Christina DaLomba), 7:05

Women's 800 Meters Final, 8:37

Men's 4X400 Meter Relay Final, 10:40