Wolverines Win Five on First Day of Len Paddock Invite

Friday, May 7

Ann Arbor, Mich.

Michigan

Len Paddock Invitational (Day 1)

Wolverines Win Five on First Day of Len Paddock Invite

5/7/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Track & Field

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Senior/junior Lindsey Gallo (Freehold, N.J./Howell HS) of the University of Michigan women's track and field team annihilated her personal-best time in the 800-meter run, as she clocked an NCAA regional-qualifying 2:06.85 to win the Invitational section of the event Friday evening (May 7) at U-M's only home meet of the outdoor season, the Len Paddock Invitational.

Gallo tuned up for the Big Ten outdoor meet with an impressive performance in the invitational 800 meters.

Gallo was one of five Michigan athletes to claim victory at U-M's Ferry Field. Joining her with first-place performances were senior quad-captain Melissa Bickett (Akron, Ohio/Revere HS), hammer throw; graduate/senior Lindsey Stephenson (Hamburg, N.J./Hamburg HS), javelin; senior quad-captain Vera Simms (Mililani, Hawaii/Mililani HS), 400-meter hurdles; and fifth-year senior Robin Landfair (Okemos, Mich./Okemos HS), 100-meter hurdles.

Gallo finished off a very successful day for the Wolverines when she blew the field away in the invitational 800-meter run, as she bettered runner-up Jill McMullen by 1.29 seconds, 2:06.85 to 2:08.14. The signature women's event of the evening began with a quick pace, as senior/junior Anna Jones (Omaha, Neb./Marion HS) jumped out front in a rabbit role.

When Jones dropped out of the race 400 meters in, she was about 10 meters ahead of the pack. McMullen, who was running second until that point, took over the lead and appeared to begin to pull away, but Gallo opened into sprint mode with 200 meters to go, eventually taking over the top spot heading into turn three. From that point she continued her strong kick and crossed the finish line with Michigan's fastest time in the event this year.

The time bettered her previous best in the event by 1.12 seconds, as her old mark stood at 2:07.97 set at the during the 2004 indoor season (Feb. 6). It bettered her outdoor 800-meter time by an even bigger margin. Gallo previous held a PR of 2:10.31 outdoors, which she ran at the 2003 Len Paddock Invitational (5/10/03).

Michigan's four other victors finished their home careers on a high note as it marked the final time they would compete in their signature events on U-M's home track and field. On the infield, Bickett used an NCAA regional-qualifying and season-best 180-5 to win the hammer throw.

Stephenson too used a season best to win the javelin as she marked an NCAA regional distance of 162-9. The distance bettered by nearly nine feet her previous Michigan best of 154-10, set during her last two competitions, most recently at the Jesse Owens Classic (April 30).

On the track, Simms posted an NCAA regional qualifying time of 59.92 to win the 400-meter hurdles. The two-time defending Big Ten Conference champion in the race led from the onset, as she was the only participate in the 14-member field to run under the one-minute barrier.

Landfair ran a 13.89 to win the shorter hurdles race, besting the 25-member field by 0.39 seconds. Though she was running into a headwind of 1.5, Landfair was 0.06 under the NCAA regional qualifying standard of 13.95.

The Wolverines concluded their only home meet of the outdoor season Saturday (May 8). Action resumes at 11 a.m. with the pole vault, high jump and long jump, while running events are slated to begin at 1 p.m. with the 4x100-meter relay.

Contact: Gene Skidmore (734) 763-4423