May 29, 2010
Results
The George Mason men's 4x400-meter relay team highlighted the Patriots track and field team's performance on the final day of the NCAA Preliminary Round East Regional as they earned a trip to the national championships.
Closing out a strong weekend of performances by the Patriots at Irwin Belk Track, the relay squad consisting of Kevin Wilson, David Verburg, Nick Vaughn and Ja-Vell Bullard crossed the finish line in 3:08.29, edging Northwestern State for third in the last of three heats. With the top three finishers in each heat guaranteed advancement, the Patriots' berth in June's NCAA Championship at Eugene, Ore., was secured.
In the women's 4x400, Latasha Rivers, Cierra McGee, Marie Fields and Tiara Swindell combined to finish in 3:38.23, fourth in the second heat and 16th overall.
In other running events on Saturday, Rachaunn Ruffin was edged out of a spot in the NCAA finals as he placed 13th in the 200-meter dash, crossing the line in 20.93 which was eight-hundredths off the final qualifier's time. In the men's 1,500-meter run, Anthony LaMastro placed ninth with a time of 3:47.85, but with the top five in each heat advancing, his time in a significantly faster first heat was not quick enough to get a berth. Laura Sinclair was 19th in the women's 1,500 with a time of 4:26.94.
Mason had two athletes competing in the triple jump on Saturday. On the men's side, LaVell Handy was 15th with a leap of 15.42 meters while Grace Mavugara finished 38th in the women's competition with a mark of 12.24 meters.
The NCAA Championships will be contested in two weeks at the University of Oregon's Hayward Field. Joining the men's 4x400 relay in Eugene will be Swindell, who earned a spot in the 400-meter dash.
