University of Richmond Athletics
Benford 9th, Molz 22nd In Steeplechase Saturday At NCAA Regional
06/01/2008 | Women's Track & Field
June 1, 2008
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Sophomore Andrew Benford turned in an impressive ninth-place finish in the 3,000m steeplechase, while senior Jonathan Molz was 22nd in the same event as the University of Richmond track & field team wrapped up the NCAA East Regional Championship Saturday night in Tallahassee, Fla.
Benford, a sophomore from Ravenswood, W.Va., raced to the line in a time of 9:00.85, which was good for a top-10 finish and was just a spot outside the scoring. The time was his second-fastest of the season after qualifying with an 8:59.11 at the Penn Relays.
"Andrew ran a great race," said men's head coach Steve Taylor. "He won his his heat and was well out in front down the strecth on an 8:53 pace, but he tripped up making the final turn. The field caught him, but he was still able to regin himself and win the section. We'll just have to wait and see if he'll get an NCAA Championship invitation."
Molz, who also used the Penn Relays to earn his spot in the NCAA Regional, was clocked in 9:25.29 Saturday evening and captured 22nd place. The East Northport, N.Y. senior ran a time of 9:04.89 in Philadelphia.
Florida State's Luke Gunn was the steeplchase champion with his time of 8:41.16, helping the Seminoles to the men's East Regional title. FSU rolled to the championship with 88.5 points, followed by Florida (68), Georgia (50), South Carolina (42) and Clemson (38) in the top five.
With 92 points, Virginia Tech won the women's title, edging out Penn State by a point. Flordia (82), Flordia State (44) and South Carolina (44) rounded out the top five.
The meet brings the Spiders' 2008 outdoor track & field season to a close, after a pair of freshmen - Monica Howard (javelin) and Nicol Traynor (5,000m) - competed Friday in the Regional.
