The Charlotte 49ers track and field team will make up some of over 2500 participants from over 50 institutions that have registered to compete at the Duke Invitational this weekend, April 6-7, at Wallace Wade Stadium. The two-day event kicks off at noon on Friday with the women's javelin and 1:30 p.m. on the track with the 400 meter dash (developmental). 

The Niners will participate in two other meets this weekend, as well. The sprints and field groups are heading to Auburn, Ala. for the Tiger Track Classic. Amanda Goetschius left for Stanford, Calif. today to compete in the Stanford Invitational. Event schedules for both meets are available through the links on this page.

"We're splitting the teams up again this weekend to take advantage of competitive opportunities at three different meets," said Director of Track and Field Bob Olesen.

"Coach Schlichter is taking Amanda Goetschius to Stanford University for what is universally considered the best regular season meet for the 5000 and 10000m races in the country. The best collegiate times in those events every year come from this competition so if you have a national caliber athlete on your roster at those distances you get them there if possible.

"The rest of the distance squad will be at the Duke University Invitational which is also a very strong distance oriented meet and should produce some good results for us.

"The sprint/hurdle and field event groups will be at Auburn for the Tiger Classic. We've been to Auburn each of the last several years and it's always a great meet with moderately sized fields and great competition in these event areas. We always come away from that meet with great results overall so everyone's excited to get down there."

Charlotte is coming off some promising performances at the Raleigh Relays last weekend at NC State. In Raleigh, two school records fell, bringing the year-long total to 12 records broken. The women's 1600m sprint medley relay group of Joann Blakney, Jaleah Wilder, T'Sheila Mungo and Maraya Slatter set a new record (3:52.83; 1st). Toby Jo Klauenburg also bettered her own mark in the shot put by a full three centimeters (13.24m; 10th). 

In addition, freshman Juanita Leto was one of several other sprinter/hurdlers who shined at NC State, setting a new personal record in the 100m hurdles (14.29) and qualifying for the USATF Junior Championships.

Live results for the Duke Invite will be available throughout the entire duration of the meet.  Live video will be available of the track on Friday from 4:15-6:00 p.m. and Saturday from 1:45-5:45 p.m. Links to live results, live video and to the complete event schedule are available on this page.