June 27, 2010

USATF Outdoor Nationals Schedule and Results

DES MOINES, Iowa - A pair of rising sophomores on the George Mason men's track team put forth two of the strongest efforts in the country this weekend, as both David Verburg and George Empty achieved Junior All-America status in the 400-meter dash at the USA Track and Field Junior Nationals.

In the final round which was contested Saturday afternoon at Drake Stadium, Verburg crossed the line in 46.38 which edged Michael Berry by one-hundredth of a second to earn Verburg third place. Teammate George Empty recorded a time of 47.58, good for eighth place in the finals. Both earned Junior All-America status with their performances, and Verburg will advance to the World Junior Championships in Canada.

Errol Nolan of Houston won the event with his first-place mark of 45.68.

Both Mason athletes earned a spot in Saturday's finals after finishing in the top eight of the first-round competition on Friday. Verburg, the Colonial Athletic Association champion in the event, was fourth in the prelims with a time of 46.75 while Empty finished seventh in 47.17, a personal best.

The USATF National Championships conclude Sunday from Drake Stadium.