NOTRE DAME, Ind. – The Stanford men moved closer to solidifying their spot in the NCAA distance medley relay, running 9:32.42 at the Alex Wilson Invitational on Saturday during a big weekend of racing.
Between the Alex Wilson and the JDL meet in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, this was a big DMR weekend across collegiate indoor track and field. The two meets figured to shake up the season DMR rankings. Only 12 spots are available for the NCAA Indoor Championships. With the qualifying window ending next week with conference championships, this was the weekend for DMR dueling.
On the 320-meter track at Notre Dame's Loftus Sports Center, Stanford placed sixth, but improved its season-best time by nearly 15 seconds.
Stanford's team was freshman
Matt Rizzo (1,200),
Julian Body (400),
Brandon McGorty (800), and
Alex Ostberg (1,600).
With both meets completed, Stanford emerged at No. 9 and in good shape to reach the NCAA's in the DMR for the 11th consecutive year.
With its women's DMR team ranked second, Stanford seems a good bet to get both relay teams into the NCAA Championships March 13-14 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Ostberg, ranked No. 9 in the 3,000, could be in position to double, with the DMR on the first day (Friday) and the 3,000 on the second day (Saturday).
* * *
Alex Wilson Invitational
At Loftus Sports Center
(320-meter track)
Men
Distance medley relay – 1, Notre Dame 9:25.80; 6, Stanford (
Matt Rizzo,
Julian Body,
Brandon McGorty,
Alex Ostberg) 9:32.42.
