In-Race Broken Arm No Barrier for Villanova's Brian Basili

In a display of determination rarely called for in distance running, Villanova's Brian Basili today executed a performance that will long be remembered in the annals of Villanova track.  Competing in the 3000 meter steeplechase at the Colonial Relays in Williamsburg, Virginia, Basili crashed on the third-to-last steeple, landing on (and breaking) his upper left arm in the process (see photo, right).  Rather than succumb to what must have been the significant pain of such an injury, Basili quickly got up and -- after getting over a water jump and a final steeple with a shattered upper arm (!) -- actually won his heat in 9:20.10.  Upon crossing the finish line, his first question was "Did I get it?", referring to the Big East conference qualifying time in the event (which he did, by about 5 seconds).  We wish Brian, a two-time Big East Academic All Star from South Orange, NJ with an impressive 14:34 PR over 5000 meters, a speedy recovery.

Some at the race have commented on the incident on Lets Run's message board, HERE.  







Colonial Relays 3000 meter Steeplechase

Section  2                                                                      
  1 Basili, Brian             JR Villanova              9:20.10    4            
  2 Deckert, Brady            SO St. Joseph's (Pa.)     9:24.49                 
  3 Hartman, Jason            SR George Mason           9:24.72                 
  4 Hallahan, Dylan           SO Rider                  9:25.55                 
  5 Fischer, Christopher      JR St. Francis (Pa.)      9:26.22                 
  6 Annelli, Jonathan         SO Fordham                9:29.92                 
  7 Naglieri, James           SO Wagner                 9:31.90                 
  8 Murphy, James             JR La Salle               9:33.23                 
  9 Cutright, Daniel             Scurvy Dogs           X9:34.43                 
 10 Pershall, Ben             SO La Salle               9:39.11                 
 11 Harrison, Aaron           JR Howard                 9:41.85                 
 12 Caskey, Sean              SR Mount St. Mary's       9:50.63                 
 13 Richard, Daniel           SO Christopher Newport    9:53.84                 
 14 Brown, Ryan               FR Robert Morris          9:53.95                 
 15 Darlington, Tommy         SO Monmouth               9:57.95                 
 16 O'Neill, Corey            JR Rider                 10:07.41