Villanova Men's DMR Jumps into NCAA Indoor Nationals

  


 The Villanova DMR quartet of Jordy Williamsz, Sam Ellison, Chris FitzSimons, and Sam McEntee vaulted into the top 12 of the NCAA last night, winning their heat of the DMR at Notre Dame's Alex Wilson Invitational. As has been the case over the past several years, this meet held on a super-fast 320 meter track witnessed a "last chance" rush of teams seeking to qualify for indoor nationals.  Indeed, the top 14 times in the country were recorded last night at the meet, with Villanova now sitting at #9 on that list.  The top 12 relay teams will gain entry to the NCAA meet in Fayetteville, AK.

Villanova led its heat from the start, with Jordy Williamsz (split of 2:53) kicking at the end of his 1200 meter leg to provide the Wildcats with a 1 second lead over Wisconsin at the exchange.  Sam Ellison extended that lead over a super fast 46 flat 400 meter leg, putting 800 meter man Chris FitzSimons three seconds ahead with the baton.  FitzSimons split 1:49 to give anchor Sam McEntee a large -- and ultimately insurmountable -- lead.  McEntee closed in approximately 4:02, and had to hold off hard charging anchors from both Virginia Tech and Indiana.

The video commentator above misidentifies Jordy Williamsz as Rob Denault and Sam Ellison as Alex Reber.  Denault and Reber were on the original declared list, but were replaced by Williamsz and Ellison.

 Event 4 Men Distance Medley
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School Finals
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Section 3

1 Villanova 'A'                                                9:30.47
1) Williamsz, Jordan 2) Ellison, Samuel
3) FitzSimons, Christopher 4) McEntee, Sam

2 Virginia Tech 'A'                                          9:30.83
1) Hagen, Ryan 2) Artis-Gray, Jeff
3) Degfae, Tihut 4) Hammond, Michael

3 Indiana 'A'                                                  9:31.11
1) Hunter, Rorey 2) Pierre Louis, Nathan
3) Roller, Lance 4) Bayer, Andrew

4 Wisconsin 'A'                                             9:31.43
1) Mudd, Austin 2) Woloszyk, Tyler
3) Mellon, Zach 4) Hatz, Alex

5 Georgetown 'A'                                          9:33.40
1) Peavey, Bobby 2) Andre, Mike
3) Ledder, Billy 4) Springer, Andrew

6 Ucla 'A'                                                     9:35.36
1) Edman, Ferdinand 2) Lauderdale, Pete
3) Hartle, Nick 4) Herrera, Daniel

7 New Mexico 'A'                                         9:36.98
1) Evans, Sam 2) Lewis, Charles
3) Herring, Edwin 4) Caldwell, Luke

8 Kansas 'A'                                                9:38.89
1) Buchanan, Reid 2) Hester, Michael
3) Munsch, Josh 4) Soucie, Brendan

9 Loyola (Ill.) 'A'                                          9:42.77
1) Murray, Declan 2) Glastetter, Kevin
3) Brady, Ned 4) Penzenstadler, Sam