The NCAA News - News and Features

March 9, 1998

Division III Men's Indoor Track

Lincoln (Pennsylvania) has ingredients for return to winner's circle

Event: 1998 Division III Men's Indoor Track Championships.

Overview: Lincoln (Pennsylvania) came within points of winning its third consecutive title a year ago. As it was, Wisconsin-La Crosse ended the Lions' reign. This year, Lincoln is working to return the favor, and very well may do so. The Lions -- boasting talent, depth and experience -- are led by the nation's top 1,600-meter relay team of Robert Woolbright, Anthony Julien, Steve Mitchell and Larry Lyerly. Woolbright, Julien and Lyerly guided the Lions to the 1997 1,600-meter relay title. As of February 17, the four also ranked among the top 10 individuals in the 400-meter dash, led by Lyerly (49.60 seconds). Sophomore Alonzo Wiggins and freshman Chris Cobbs ranked Nos. 1 and 2, respectively, in the 55-meter hurdles with times of 7.40 and 7.50 seconds. Thomas Thompson (long jump and triple jump) headlines the Lions' field-events corps, registering the second-best mark in the high jump (2.13 meters/6 feet, 113Ž4 inches), third in the triple jump (14.72/48-31Ž2) and fourth in the long jump (7.31Ž23-113Ž4). The Lions also should receive points from Thomas Claiborne (triple jump) and Andre Bogle (800-meter run) .... North Central, Mount Union and defending champion Wisconsin-La Crosse are among the top teams battling the Lions for the crown. North Central places its hopes behind its distance squad. The Cardinals are led by Tony Rizzo, Ryan Board, Jeff Stiles and Jack Kafel. Rizzo had the second-best times in the 1,500-meter (3:50.11 converted) and mile runs (4:08.83), Board ranked fourth in the mile (4:14.75) and seventh in the 5,000-meter run (14:53.24), Stiles had the fourth-best time in the 1,500 (3:54.31) and Kafel was third in the 5,000 (14:47.26). Mount Union returns defending 5,000-meter run champion David Cooper and former long- and triple-jump champion Shawn Watson. Cooper ranked second in the 5,000 (14:47.00), while Watson led the nation in the long jump (7.58/24-101Ž2).

Field: The Division III Championships Committee has approved a qualifying procedure that allows for a maximum of 158 student-athletes.

Dates and site: March 13-14 at Brandeis.

Information/results: The fax-on-demand telephone number is 770/399-3060 (passcode 1915); request numbers are 1584 for dates/site/schedule, 5272 for qualifiers, 5273 for first-day results, 5274 for second-day results and 5275 for finals-only results. Championship results also will be available on the World Wide Web at www.ncaa.org. Results will be published in the March 23 issue of The NCAA News.