Track and Field to Compete at NCAA East Regionals

(LIU schedule)
(men's heat list) / (women's heat list)

5/25/05 -- Long Island University's track and field team will compete in seven individual events and two relays this Friday and Saturday at the NCAA East Regionals in New York.

Freshman Aisha Thomas (Jefferson City, Mo.) will run in the 100 and 200-meter dashes. It is the continuation of a standout season for Thomas, who was named Most Valuable Performer, Most Outstanding Track Performer and Rookie of the Meet at the Northeast Conference Outdoor Championships.

Junior Michael Hillian (Voorhees, N.J.), the NEC's Most Outstanding Men's Track Performer after winning three events, will race in the 400-meter dash. Junior Bryan Steele (Gaithersburg, Md.), both the NEC and IC4A 400-meter hurdles champion, will compete at the regionals a third straight year in an event which he is ranked fifth in the East Region.

N'Kelle Anderson (Forestville, Md.) will run in the women's 400-meter hurdles and fellow senior Shaun Johnson (Ontario, Canada) will race in the men's 100-meter dash.

The men's 400-meter relay squad will be the first group for the Blackbirds to compete on Friday.

All the above races are preliminary round events on Friday with the final round taking place Saturday. The men's 1600-meter relay team will compete in the final on Saturday night.

The competition will take place at the newly opened Icahn Stadium on Randall's Island, site of the former Downing Stadium. Tickets may be purchased at ticketweb.com by searching under venue for "Icahn Stadium." Tickets are $15 for adults, $25 for two days and $7 for students. (directions)