Parker, Eckel Regionally Qualify on Day One of Paddock

Friday, May 6

Ann Arbor, Mich.

11:00 AM

Michigan

Len Paddock Invitational (Day 1)

Parker, Eckel Regionally Qualify on Day One of Paddock

5/6/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Track & Field

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- University of Michigan women's track and field fifth-year senior Andrea Parker (Livonia, Mich./Stevenson) notched her third regional qualifying performance of the season, winning the 1,500-meter run in a personal-best time of 4:27.68 Friday (May 6) in day one of the Len Paddock Invitational at Ferry Field.

Parker showed her versatility in capturing her third regional qualifying time of the outdoor season in three separate events -- the 3,000-meter steeplechase, the 5,000-meter run and the 1,500-meter run. Her 1,500-meter run performance is also the fastest time by a Wolverine -- and fourth-fastest overall -- clocked at the Len Paddock Invitational in the last six years. Parker is the only Wolverine this season to regionally qualify in three separate events.

Senior Ashley Eckel (Grand Blanc, Mich./Grand Blanc) became the second Wolverine to regionally qualify in a throwing event with a season-best performance in the hammer throw, recording a toss of 178-10. Eckel's toss was the longest of any Wolverine this season and qualifies her for regionals along with sophomore Bridgette Maynard (Madison, Mich./Bishop Foley), who qualified earlier in the year in the discus. Senior Jamie Barbour (Dearborn, Mich./Edsel Ford) and Amy Bicknell (Rochester Hills, Mich./Rochester) threw 153-9 and 146-5, respectively, to finish eighth and ninth behind Eckel.

Fifth-year senior Lindsey Gallo (Freehold, N.J./Howell) paced the field of the 1,500-meter run acting as the rabbit through the first kilometer, setting a quick tempo for the lead pack of Parker, Detroit Mercy's Andrea Karl and unattached Wolverine freshman Alyson Kohlmeier (Sarnia, Ontario/St. Patrick's). After 1,000 meters, Gallo dropped off the course and Parker took control of the pack of three that distanced themselves well ahead of the field. Parker held a slight lead at the last lap and again with 200 meters to go, out-kicking her pursuers down the final stretch to nip the regional qualifying time by 0.12 seconds.

In the 400-meter hurdles, senior captain Keri Kirk (Ann Arbor, Mich./Huron) had a season- and team-best performance of 1:02.26, good for fifth place. Sophomore Kiana Stringfield (Midland, Mich./Midland) took sixth with a personal-record 1:02.43.

Michigan hosts day two of the Len Paddock Invitational Saturday (May 7) beginning with the discus at 10 a.m. Running events commence at 12:30 p.m. with the 4x100-meter relay.

Q U O T E S

Michigan Head Coach James Henry
On the Len Paddock Invitational ... "It has been a surprisingly nice day today with good weather and light winds. We haven't had a lot of luck with the weather in the past, but we hope these conditions hold out. We'll see some good performances tomorrow if the weather is like this. We love hosting the Len Paddock Invitational each year and letting Michigan track and field fans come out and see us perform. Athletes like Ashley Eckel, who qualified in the hammer throw with a season best, are who these people come out to see. We're proud of our athletes and our goal is to improve."

On his graduating seniors ... "This is one of the most successful groups of seniors we have ever had. They have accomplished so much as a team -- winning three Big Ten outdoor titles and three indoor conference titles and making a splash at nationals. The expectations for next year's class will be very high, but we are hoping that we are not in a position where we have to rebuild next year. We're hoping to reload instead."

On next week's Big Ten Outdoor Championships ... "We are in the position we want to be in. Our goal is to be among the top three teams in the conference and battle through the last few events and see what happens. The conference is strong and the pressure to win a fourth title and our program's fourth triple crown is great. Penn State, Illinois and Minnesota each have a shot to win the title and we just want to be in the mix at the end and hope we can pull it out."

Fifth-Year Senior Andrea Parker
On her regional qualifying time in the 1,500m ... "(Lindsey) Gallo was a great rabbit through the first kilometer. She set a good pace that I tried to maintain throughout the race. I kept trying to push the tempo and hit the qualifying time."

On her final season as a Wolverine ... "This season has been everything I could have hoped for. After all my of injuries in the past, to come out and have the season that I'm having was the best possible outcome. It feels great to regionally qualify in three events and show how versatile I can be. It's also great to run at home in front of our fans."

On her regional qualifying performances this season ... "It's a great feeling being able to run qualifying times in the steeplechase, the 5,000 and today in the 1,500. I'm looking forward to Big Tens right now where we'll have tough competition from the rest of the conference. I'd love to end my career with another title."