University of Richmond Athletics
University of Richmond
Penn Relays
Benford, Molz Clinch NCAA Regional Spots In 3,000m Steeplechase
04/25/2008 | Women's Track & Field
April 24, 2008
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - Sophomore Andrew Benford and senior Jonathan Molz each qualified for the NCAA Regional Championship in the 3,000m steeplechase as action kicked off at the Penn Relays Thursday in Philadelphia. Competing against a collection of the best athletes in the nation, Benford finished ninth in the college championship division, while Molz was third in the college division.
In just his second career steeplechase event, Benford locked up an NCAA Regional spot for the second consecutive week with a time of 8:59.11 to finish ninth in the college championship division - an event that featured the nation's top collegiate steeple runners and no less than five All-Americans.
"It was a tough race," said Benford. "But I felt good and I'm obviously very excited to qualify for the Regionals. It went out fast but I settled into my pace on the third lap and kept moving."
A Ravenswood, W.Va. native, Benford qualified for the NCAA Regionals in the 5,000m last weekend at the Mt. SAC Relays in Los Angeles. It marked his second time running the steeplechase after winning the event at the Spiders' Fred Hardy Invitational in March.
Competing in the men's college division, Molz posted a bronze-medal finish and also eclipsed the NCAA qualifying time of 9:07.00 in the steeplechase. The East Northport, N.Y. native's time of 9:04.89 was personal-best.
"I felt pretty good out there," said Molz. "I'm really happy to qualify for the NCAA regional championships and to do it the same night as Andrew makes it that much sweeter. It made the warm-down very enjoyable. But I nearly lost my shoe in the third lap. I stomped my foot down a couple of times and thankfully it went back on and after that it was a smooth race."
The women's 4x400m relay of Jasmine Cottle, Megan Ney, Paloma Krakower and Tara Markey competed Thursday and set a season-best time of 3:52.15. That time was good for fifth in the heat and 51st overall in the event.
In the field events, Monica Howard placed ninth in the discus with a mark of 42.95m. Samella Koroma placed 26th in the discus with a toss of 11.86m. Both of those marks were individual season-bests.
Neil Slotterback is set to compete in the javelin on Saturday at the Penn Relays.
