Harmsen Grabs Regional Mark at North Carolina Invite

Saturday, March 31

Chapel Hill, N.C.

Michigan

UNC Invitational

3/31/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Track & Field

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- A portion of the University of Michigan men's track and field team competed at the University of North Carolina Invite at Fetzer Field. Junior/sophomore Dan Harmsen (Rockford, Mich./Rockford) led the Wolverines, capturing an NCAA regional qualifying mark. The Wolverines also sent 12 members of the team to compete in the Stanford Invite this weekend (March 30-31) in Palo Alto, Calif.

One week after just missing an NCAA regional mark in the 400-meter hurdles, Harmsen captured a qualifying time of 52.22 to finish second in the event. The only time that was faster than Harmsen's belonged to Olympian James Cater (50.21). Freshman Frank Shotwell (Medina, Ohio/Medina) also competed in the event for the first time in his collegiate career, crossing the line in 53.58 to take fourth place.

Junior Andrew Wechter (Shelby, Ohio/Shelby) had a very strong day as he won the 400-meter dash with a time of 47.94, and anchored the winning 4x400-meter relay team with a 46.60 split. Joining Wechter on the relay squad was sophomore Stevann Waithe (Towson, Md./Loch Raven), Harmsen and senior John D'Arcy (Clayton, Ohio/Northmont). The four Wolverines combined for a time of 3:13.53. D'Arcy also competed in the 400-meter dash, claiming sixth place with a time of 49.47.

Sophomore Andre Barnes (West Bloomfield, Mich./West Bloomfield) also had a very strong outing, winning the 200-meter dash and placing second in the 100-meter dash. Barnes clocked 10.79 in the 100-meter dash and 21.68 in the 200-meter dash. His mark in the 200-meter event was good enough for a new personal record. Sophomore Rob Fiorillo (Holly, Mich./Holly) also faired well in both of the events, placing seventh in the 200-meter dash (23.35) and 12th in the 100-meter dash (11.57).

Sophomore/freshman John Kipf (Monroe, Mich./St. Mary's Catholic Central) also set a new career mark when he took first in the high jump. Kipf cleared a mark of 6-8 -- two inches taller than his previous best of 6-6. He also had a couple of strong attempts at the NCAA regional qualifying height of 6-10 3/4.

In the 5,000-meter run, freshman Michael Dobmeier (East Amherst, N.Y./Williamsville North) was able to cross the line in second place with a mark of 15:13.54. The meet marked Dobmeier's collegiate debut.

The Maize and Blue will travel to Austin, Texas, to compete at the Texas Relays Wednesday through Saturday (April 4-7). The meet will be held at Mike A. Myers Stadium.

Event Winners/U-M Results

100-meter Dash 1. Francisco Rose, unatt. 10.73 2. Andre Barnes, U-M 10.79 12. Rob Fiorillo, U-M 11.57 200-meter Dash 1. Andre Barnes, U-M 21.68 7. Rob Fiorillo, U-M 23.35 400-meter Dash 1. Andrew Wechter, U-M 47.94 6. John D'Arcy, U-M 49.47 20. Adam Kiesler, U-M 54.95 400-meter Hurdles 1. James Cater, unatt. 50.21# 2. Dan Harmsen, U-M 52.22# 4. Frank Shotwell, U-M 53.58 800-meter Run 1. Jeff Williams, unatt. 1:50.71 12. Mike Luginbill, U-M 1:56.02 41. Victor Gras, U-M 2:04.05 5,000-meter Run 1. Pat Parish, Duke 15:07.33 2. Mike Dobmeier, U-M 15:13.54 4x400-meter Relay 1. Michigan 'A' 3:13.53 (Stevann Waithe, Dan Harmsen, John D'Arcy, Andrew Wechter) High Jump 1. John Kipf, U-M 6-8 (2.03m) 4. Andrew Schrotenboer, U-M 6-2 (1.88m) Long Jump 1. Dexter Adams, NC State 23-9 1/2 (7.25m) 7. Adam Kiesler, U-M 21-0 1/2 (6.41m) Discus Throw 1. Vikas Gowda, unatt. 194-7 (59.31m)# 6. Paul Sarantos, U-M 142-6 (43.44m) 7. Vince Belitsos, U-M 139-7 (42.55m) 8. Dan Bedoya, U-M 134-1 (40.88m) Shot Put 1. Micthell Pope, NC State 64-10 (19.76m)# 5. Paul Sarantos, U-M 50-10 1/4 (15.50m) 7. Vince Belitsos, U-M 48-9 1/2 (14.87m) 9. Dan Bedoya, U-M 45-9 1/4 (13.95m) # NCAA Regional Qualifying Mark