March 14, 2008

Washington, D.C. - The Georgetown University indoor track & field team finished the first day of competition at the NCAA Championships today held in Fayetteville, Ark. The Hoyas competed in three events today with the men's DMR providing much drama and redshirt sophomore Andrew Bumbalough (Brentwood, Tenn./Brentwood Academy) producing a record-setting mile split with his time of 3:56.1. The previous record was a time of 3:56.8, set by John Gregorek in 1980.

The quartet of Bumbalough, senior Matt Debole (Winston-Salem, N.C./Mount Tabor), redshirt junior Michael Banks (Holden, Mass./Waschusett Regional) and sophomore Danny Harris (Deer Park, N.Y./St. John the Baptist) took fifth place in the men's DMR with a time of 9:34.22. With Harris getting knocked in the leg during the 400, the Hoyas had much ground to make up and by the time Bumbalough was up, he ran a strong anchor and even pulled the Hoyas into third at one point. After making up so much ground, a couple teams were able to move past the Blue and Gray in the final straightaway. The split times were Harris (50.8), Banks (1:52.4), Debole (2:54.7) and Bumbalough (3:56.1).

On the women's side, senior Melissa Grelli (Cupertino, Calif./Presentation) turning in a sixth-place performance in the women's 5000m with a time of 16:10.83.

Graduate student Elizabeth Maloy (Loudonville, N.Y./Academy of Holy Names) qualified for Sunday's final round in the mile.

"Andrew ran one of the most courageous races I have ever seen," Director of Track & Field and Cross Country Patrick Henner said. "He ran enough to get us into third at one point after coming from so far behind. Melissa ran a strong steady race in the 5000m to take sixth place. Liz did a nice job and made it back for the final."

The NCAA action continues Sunday with the Blue and Gray suiting up for the women's mile final and the men's 3000m.