Myrtle Beach, SC- With nearly perfect running conditions and high hopes, Montreat’s track team made school history by qualifying three track members for the NAIA National Track & Field Championships to be held in St. Louis, MO, on May 22-24th. Ben Hall, Talisa Bishop, and Arilicia Adkins earned the right to compete at this year’s marathon championship event by hitting the NAIA’s “A” and “B” qualifying standards. “This was a great day for our program. All of our team has been working so hard… it’s always nice for them to see the fruit of their labor,” said Head Coach Jose Larios. The small team chose the 2008 Myrtle Beach Half Marathon as their targeted race due to its fast and flat 13.1 mile course, and its traditionally great running weather. Out of nearly 3,000 runners, Ben Hall (Fr.,Columbus, NC/ Polk County High) finished fourth overall in a spectacular time of 1:16:07; his time, which averages out to 5:49.9 seconds per mile, is an NAIA “B” qualifying standard. “This was awesome for Ben… he barely missed the qualifying mark in December, so I was really happy for him today,” added Larios.

Newcomer, Arilicia Adkins (So., Seffner, FL/ Warner Southern) had a great half-marathon debut.  She covered the ocean-side course in an “A” qualifying standard of 1:30:58 (6:59 pace), and good enough for 87^th overall, and the 18^th female finisher.  Hall and Adkins both finished first in their respected age groups.  Talisa Bishop (Interlachen, FL) also hit the “A” standard and was the third Cavalier to make the national qualifying mark.  She finished as the second female overall in a new personal best time of 1:26:59, 50th overall (6:40 pace), and possibly one of the best times in the NAIA.  She too finished first in her age group.

The track team will be in action this weekend at the Montreat Vs. UVA-Wise Dual Distance Carnival.  The teams will be competing at Madison High School at 3:30pm. 

Photo:  The team is showing off their hard-earned hardware.  Hall and Adkins hold their first place, age group trophies, while Bishop holds her plaque for finishing 2nd overall in the female division.

Full results can be viewed here:

http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/781/story/352735.html

Written By: Jose Larios
Posted By: Jose Larios
Date Posted: 2/17/2008
Number of Views: 490