July 21, 2005

Queens, NY - St. John's University discus record holder Vincenzo Insingo won the discus throw with at toss of 171'7' at the fifth annual USA Track & Field National Club Championships, held this past weekend at Ichan Stadium on Randall's Island. On the track, Saphrona McClennon, the school record holder in the 55-meter hurdles, ran 1:00.15 to place second in the 400-meter hurdles.

Insingo also took third in the shot put with a toss of 50'2" while McClennon doubled back in the 200m clocking 25.56 for fourth place.

Insingo set the St. John's discus standard of 175'0" at the 1992 Penn Relays. After graduation, Insingo returned to St. John's and took over the throwing coaching duties from legendary throws coach Ken Bantum. While coaching at St. John's, Insingo produced All-American discus thrower Gina LoMonaco, school hammer record holder and multi-time weight and hammer NCAA qualifier Sheba George, and NCAA hammer qualifier Nicola Coffey.

Chris Graff, who holds St. John's records in the 5000-meter & 10,000-meter was also at Ichan Stadium Saturday night to make an attempt at the World Championships standard of 27:49 for the 10,000. Graff's 28:03.11 clocking in May is currently ranked third in the United States and 40th in the World.

The New York Road Runners had set up an elite field that included world class runners from Kenya, Ireland, and Australia to make the attempt at running the World Championship standard. Unfortunately the high temperatures and high humid conditions prevented the field from hitting the required pace.

"Saturday was a great day for our Alumni and our track & field program," Head Coach Jim Hurt said. "I took great pride in the efforts of Vinnie, Saphrona and Chris at the National Club Championships.

"We had three of our school record holders competing years after they graduated so I am very gratified at their commitment and dedication to the sport of track & field and their high achievement at the national level. Vinnie, Saphrona, and Chris represent the best of St. John's track & field and it was especially pleasing to me to see them compete so well at the National Championships back here in New York City."