Steele Takes First in the 400-Meter Hurdles: Hillan Captures Third as Both Qualify for Nationals

5/27/06 --Long Island University senior Bryan Steele (Gaithersburg, Md.) captured first in the 400-meter hurdles at the NCAA East Region Track and Field Championships on Saturday evening on the campus of N.C. A&T. The phenomenal athlete crossed the tape .25 faster than his competition in a season-best time of 49.65 seconds.

Steele, who qualified third after his preliminary heat on Friday evening, topped two of the Southeast Conference’s best in the finals- South Carolina’s Jason Richardson (49.90) and Georgia’s Justin Gaymon.

He advances to the NCAA National Championships on June 7-10 at the A.G. Spanos Sports Complex in Sacramento, Calif.

Steele will not be the only LIU representation in Sacramento as classmate Michael Hillian qualified for a spot and chance to compete at nationals in the 400-meter dash.

Hillian took fourth with a season-best showing of 46.33. Florida State, Wake Forest and Florida runners took the top three spots in the event.

This is the fifth consecutive year a Blackbird athlete will compete at the NCAA Championships.

For a complete list of Steele's times, click here

For a complete list of Hillian's times, click here