April 29, 2007

PHILADELPHIA - George Mason's men's and women's track and field teams traveled to Philadelphia, Pa. this weekend to compete at the prestigious Penn Relays, held at Franklin Field on the campus of the University of Pennsylvania. Both teams hit qualifying marks in the relay events at the meet.

The men's team qualified for the IC4A Championships in the 4x800-meter relay at the meet. The Patriots team of junior Kris Cruz, freshman Michael Pachella, freshman Ryan Gaul and freshman Anthony LaMastro finished in eighth place with a time of 7:39.39.

Junior Brian Hay ran in the 110-meter hurdles. He finished seventh in his heat with an IC4A-qualifying time of 14.54 seconds. The time was the 24th-best time in the preliminary heats.

On the women's side, sophomore Murielle Ahoure ran against some tough competition in the 100-meter dash and performed well, finishing first in her heat with a time of 11.46 seconds. The time was the fifth-fastest time in the preliminary heats and advanced Ahoure to the finals of the event. In the finals, Ahoure placed fifth, crossing the finish line in 11.55 seconds. Auburn's Kerron Stewart won the race with a time of 11.15 seconds.

George Mason's 4x100-meter relay team of sophomore Ryann Hendricks, freshman Tiara Swindell, freshman Marie Fields and sophomore Murielle Ahoure placed second in their heat and 20th overall in the preliminary rounds with an ECAC-qualifying time of 46.76 seconds. The same group also ran in the 4x200-meter relay, placing second in their heat and 17th overall in the preliminary heats with a time of 1:38.25. Both teams advanced to the ECAC Championship finals, with the 4x100-meter relay team placing fifth with a time of 46.57 seconds in the ECAC Championship finals.

George Mason's men's and women's track and field teams will host the Mason Outdoor Invitational on Saturday, May 5 at George Mason Stadium.