Joel Parker Runs 8:59.99 Steeplechase

Tribe Competes on Second Day of NCAA East Regional

05/26/07 9:58PM

GAINESVILLE, FLA - William and Mary’s men’s track team competed in the javelin throw and the 3,000m steeplechase Saturday at the NCAA East Regional, placing one athlete in contention for an at-large bid to the NCAA Championships. Individuals who finish in the top five of their events earn an automatic bid to the NCAA meet, while those who finish in the top-12 are eligible for an at-large bid.

3,000m Steeplechase Results
Javelin Results

Senior Joel Parker (Portsmouth, Va.) became the second Tribe harrier this year to break the 9-minute barrier in the 3,000m steeplechase, running 8:59.99 for 12th place and become eligible for an at-large berth at the NCAA Championships. The performance, which ranks Parker eighth all-time at W&M, is only the third time since 1996 that a Tribe runner has finished below nine minutes in a steeplechase.

The other two athletes to accomplish that feat were also in this evening’s race. Junior Anthony Arena (Manassas, Va.), who ran 8:57 at this year’s Penn Relays and won the CAA crown back in April, took 17th in 9:05.01. Senior Sean Anastasia-Murphy (Gloucester, Mass.), who set a career-mark of 8:59.26 in 2005, finished an injury-marred season in 9:24.34.

Also running in the steeplechase was junior Rob Dennis (Little Silver, N.J.), who crossed the finish line 9:43.19. Competing for the Tribe in the javelin throw was CAA Champion Alex Heacock (Lititz, Pa.), who finished his season by mustering a throw of 182’ 10”, good for 23rd.

Parker and senior Keith Bechtol (Alexandria, Va.), a provisional qualifier in the 10,000m, will learn whether or not their seasons will continue when the declaration lists are released on Wednesday, May 30.