It was another banner day for Gina Valgoi this afternoon in South Bend, Ind.
 
It was another banner day for Gina Valgoi this afternoon in South Bend, Ind.
 
 
Gina Valgoi Leads the Way at Day 1 of the Meyo Invitational

Senior turns in 8th fastest 5000m time in the nation

Feb. 1, 2013

Meyo Invite Day 1 ResultsGet Acrobat Reader

South Bend, Ind. - Gina Valgoi established a new school record in the women's 5000m race this afternoon in South Bend, Ind. on day one of the Meyo Invitational at Notre Dame's Loftus Sports Center. Head Coach Randy Hasenbank was very impressed with the senior from Detroit, Mich.

"What Gina did tonight was very impressive," commented Hasenbank. "She really turned some heads. Not only did she run 16:15 to crush the school record, she did it while leading by 50 to 80 meters the entire way. Ends up being a 40 second personal best for her. She's running with a ton of confidence right now and we are very proud of her."

Valgoi led the way for the Rambler women this afternoon. Her time of 16:15 not only sets a new school record in the event, eclipsing the previous record by nearly fifteen seconds, but also ranks as the 8th fastest time nationally in the women's 5000m. Freshman Sydney Stuenkel, also competing in the 5000m, turned in a time of 17:08.18 that put her in 15th-place overall.

On the men's side, freshman Chris Strup shaved another .01 seconds of his school record in the 60m dash as he posted a time of 6.90 seconds in the semifinals of the event. In the 5000m, Andy Fenske led the way for the Ramblers with a time of 14:53.88. He was followed closely by teammate Mike Janusek, who finished a shade under eight seconds behind him.

"It was a pretty good day one for us," continued Hasenbank. "We missed our marks in a few events but anytime you can put up two new school records and a top-10 time nationally, it is an accomplishment."

Day two action at the Meyo Invitational is slated to begin at 10 a.m. local time tomorrow in South Bend, Ind.