May 4, 2011

PHILADELPHIA, PA - The outdoor track season takes a crucial turn this weekend, as La Salle will head south to the Queen City for the 2011 Atlantic 10 Outdoor Championships held on the campus of UNC-Charlotte.  

"Well hopefully everybody that's going will be competitive and we will have some individual champions," said head coach Charles Torpey. 

Nick Crits and Nick Ross, the two top seeds in the men's 1500-meter event, have been nothing short of spectacular all season, and they will look to continue their dominance in that event this weekend.  

"I want to go 1-2 with Crits, either order," said Ross.  "We both just want to dominate that."

Ross has been named Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Week twice this season for his outstanding performances and will now look for his first taste of conference gold.  

On the women's side, the 5k looks to be the strongest event for La Salle, with three ECAC qualifiers competing.  Meghan McGlinchey leads the pack, and is ranked in the top 100 nationally with her time of 16:27.76 that she posted at the Larry Ellis Friday Night Races on April 22.  

"I hope to get Regionals, it's really hard in the 5k," said McGlinchey.  "I just have to run faster and faster."

Meghan Lutz and Stephanie Bearish will also compete in the 5k this weekend.   

In the non-distance events, freshman Dominique Best has been the most consistent performer for the Explroers this season and will compete in a variety of events this weekend including the hurdles and long jump.  

"Dominique has been great in the multi," said Torpey.  "Her versaitlity allows her to compete in a variety of different events and do different things for us."

This weekend's championship meet will begin on Friday morning and conclude on Saturday, check back on GoExplorers.com on Sunday for a full recap of the weekend.  Live stats of the meet will be available here.