Feb. 18, 2007

Complete Results (PDF) -- Selected Race Photos Courtesy of John Nepolitan/Trackshark.com

WASHINGTON - The American University men's track team dominated the middle-distance events on the final day of the Patriot League Championships, winning league titles in the 800, 1000 meters and mile Sunday afternoon. In the latter event the Eagles claimed the top four spots as they placed fourth in the team standings.

Led by Brendan Fennell, American dominated the men's mile. Fennell took over the race at the halfway point and extended his lead over his teammates to a final time of 4:06.67. Steve Hallinan followed him in second (4:08.76) and Brian McCabe (4:09.35) and Awit Yohannes (4:10.51) both set personal bests to place third and fourth, respectively. Fennell's time was third-fastest in school history and McCabe's the sixth-quickest. In total, the Eagles won 28 points in the race.

Senior captain Dustin Emrani put on his own showcase in AU's next race, setting a league record and indoor personal best in winning his third consecutive 800m title. Emrani's time of 1:52.14 outpaced Navy's Craig Meekins by 0.2 seconds. Fellow senior Alex Caudana took third for the second straight year. His time 1:53.37 is a personal best as well.

After his third-place in the mile, McCabe captured his first Patriot League individual title in the 1000m. McCabe, who was doubling back with Hallinan, won in 2:27.44, a season-best and almost a second ahead of second-place. The win did not come without a price as Hallinan was tripped up two laps into the race and withdrew with an ankle injury.

The Eagles got more points from Fennell and Yohannes in their second race of the day the 3000m and in the distance medley relay. Fennell took the lead after the mile was reached in 4:30, putting in a surge that spread out the lead pack. He would get passed in the final four laps, but would hold on for fourth as Yohannes took third. The pair clocked times of 8:25.85 and 8:25.17, respectively. AU's DMR team took fifth in 10:23.19 as well.

American's men totaled 82 points which was good for fourth, while the women's team - who were only represented by Meghan Mason in the 5000m - placed eighth.

The Eagles, who broke one school record and had six top-ten all-time marks in the meet, return to the track at spring break in Coastal Carolina's Shamrock Invitational in just over a month.