June 26, 2007

INDIANAPOLIS - Rising sophomore Michael Pachella, who specializes in the 800-meter run for the George Mason men's track and field team, competed in his signature event at the 2007 Finish Line USA Junior Outdoor Track and Field Championships this past week in Indianapolis. The championships were the qualifying meet for the 2007 Pan American Junior Athletics Championships, with the top-two finishers in each event eligible for selection to the Team USA junior roster.

The Finish Line USA Junior Outdoor Track and Field Championships began on Wednesday, June 20 and concluded on Sunday, June 24, with all events held at the Michael A. Carroll Track and Soccer Stadium on the campus of IUPUI in downtown Indianapolis. Pachella ran in the first round of the 800-meter run on Thursday, finishing with the 12th-best time (1:51.74) in the field of 25 athletes. The top-eight finishers all advanced to the finals of the event, held the next day.

The 2007 Finish Line USA Junior Outdoor Track and Field Championships were held in conjunction with the 2007 AT&T USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, the final meet of USATF's 2007 Visa Championship Series. Former George Mason men's track and field standout Marc Kellman, a two-time CAA Athlete of the Year award winner, competed in the triple jump, placing fourth with a mark of 16.74 meters (54 ft. 11.25 in.).

For more information and complete results from both meets, visit the official Web site of USA Track and Field at http://www.usatf.org.