Paladin runners dominate UNC Classic
By: Alyssa Mulliger
Issue date: 1/30/09 Section: Sports
The Furman men's and women's track and field teams achieved nine top 10 finishes as they opened the 2009 indoor track & field season at the UNC Classic on Saturday, Jan. 24.
Furman senior Patrick Morgan placed first in the 3,000m run with a personal best time of 8:23.11, breaking his previous record in the event by nearly nine seconds.
"I am really excited about the performance this past weekend," said Morgan. "The magnitude of the run hasn't quite set in yet. Not only was it a personal record but also a school record that was held by a former teammate and great runner who I really looked up to as a freshman."
Morgan's secret to continually running personal best times is quite simple.
"You have to consistently do more miles at a faster pace than the other guys lining up with you," said Morgan.
Other top 10 finishes included seniors Alex Plasencia and Joseph Tenini who finished sixth and ninth, respectively, for the Paladins in the 5,000m run. Plasencia recorded a time of 15:33.19 and Tenini recorded a time of 15:53.86.
Rounding out the Furman men's top 10 finishes was freshman Lee Gilmer, who had strong performances in both the 800m run and the mile.
"I was very pleased with how I raced and finished in both events," said Gilmer. "My teammates and Coach Mullin have been extremely supportive in facilitating my transition from high school to Division 1 running."
Gilmer placed seventh in the 800m run with a time of 1:56.58 and finished fifth in the mile with a time of 4:23.45.
Although it is early in the track and field season, Gilmer has high expectations for his first year.
"As a freshman, I naturally feel the urge to prove myself as a collegiate runner and justify my position on the team," said Gilmer. "I'm confident in both my teammates and my training under Coach Mullin, and expect to improve on my times over the coming weeks."
On the women's side, junior Brittany Johnson placed first in the 5,000m run with a time of 18:26.20, breaking her previous record in the event by more than 50 seconds.
Freshman Chloe Kowalski also earned a top-10 finish for the Lady Paladins, placing fourth in the 5,000m run with a time of 18:38.24.
Furman sophomore Julia Bryant also participated in the 5,000m run, finishing ninth with a time of 19:24.28.
Sophomore Monique Ositelu was the final top 10 finisher for the Furman women, placing 10th in the 800m run with a time of 2:24.61.
The Furman men and women continue their indoor track and field season this weekend at East Tennessee State.
Furman senior Patrick Morgan placed first in the 3,000m run with a personal best time of 8:23.11, breaking his previous record in the event by nearly nine seconds.
"I am really excited about the performance this past weekend," said Morgan. "The magnitude of the run hasn't quite set in yet. Not only was it a personal record but also a school record that was held by a former teammate and great runner who I really looked up to as a freshman."
Morgan's secret to continually running personal best times is quite simple.
"You have to consistently do more miles at a faster pace than the other guys lining up with you," said Morgan.
Other top 10 finishes included seniors Alex Plasencia and Joseph Tenini who finished sixth and ninth, respectively, for the Paladins in the 5,000m run. Plasencia recorded a time of 15:33.19 and Tenini recorded a time of 15:53.86.
Rounding out the Furman men's top 10 finishes was freshman Lee Gilmer, who had strong performances in both the 800m run and the mile.
"I was very pleased with how I raced and finished in both events," said Gilmer. "My teammates and Coach Mullin have been extremely supportive in facilitating my transition from high school to Division 1 running."
Gilmer placed seventh in the 800m run with a time of 1:56.58 and finished fifth in the mile with a time of 4:23.45.
Although it is early in the track and field season, Gilmer has high expectations for his first year.
"As a freshman, I naturally feel the urge to prove myself as a collegiate runner and justify my position on the team," said Gilmer. "I'm confident in both my teammates and my training under Coach Mullin, and expect to improve on my times over the coming weeks."
On the women's side, junior Brittany Johnson placed first in the 5,000m run with a time of 18:26.20, breaking her previous record in the event by more than 50 seconds.
Freshman Chloe Kowalski also earned a top-10 finish for the Lady Paladins, placing fourth in the 5,000m run with a time of 18:38.24.
Furman sophomore Julia Bryant also participated in the 5,000m run, finishing ninth with a time of 19:24.28.
Sophomore Monique Ositelu was the final top 10 finisher for the Furman women, placing 10th in the 800m run with a time of 2:24.61.
The Furman men and women continue their indoor track and field season this weekend at East Tennessee State.