Men's 4x800 Wins Patriot League Title

Results

Freshman Sean Duffy broke open the race as the Eagles went on to win the 4x800-meter relay. (Photo courtesy New York Road Runners)

BETHLEHEM, Pa. - The American men's track team won the 4x800-meter relay this afternoon at a very windy Lehigh University. The quartet established a new American University record of 7:36.75.

Mike Reilly ran the leadoff leg of the relay for the Eagles. Reilly started out in the middle of the pack as the teams from Army and Bucknell took the lead. After dropping towards the back of the pack, he moved up the last 250-meters of the race and handed off in fourth as Reilly ran 1:56.54 for his leg.

Jovens Colas took the baton from Reilly and quickly caught and passed the runner from Navy. Colas moved up to the Army and Bucknell teams just 300-meters into his leg. With 250-meters left, Colas made his move and the three leading teams were very close as they finished their leg. Colas ran 1:54.57.

As Colas crossed the line, he handed off to Sean Duffy for the third leg. Duffy made his move in the second lap as he passed the team from Bucknell and set his sights on Army. With 200-meters to go, Duffy passed the Army runner and handed the baton off with nearly a two second lead as he ran 1:53.39 for his leg.

Running the anchor leg for the Eagles was Sean O'Brien. He quickly lengthened the American lead to nearly 30 meters as he pulled away from the field. O'Brien cruised to the finish line in a split of 1:51.86 as the team set the school record.

In other events on Friday, the 200-meter dash trials were run. Both Andy Ellerhorst and John Campbell were in the fourth heat of the event. The duo finished third and fourth in the race. Ellerhorst ran 22.36 and will compete in the finals tomorrow running in lane nine. Campbell ran the fastest time of his career at 22.63, but fell just short of making the finals.

American is currently in fifth place in the meet with 10 points. The meet begins tomorrow at 11:00 a.m. with the 3,000-meter steeplechase.