Jan. 17, 2008

EASTON, Pa. - Lafayette Track and Field will travel to New York on Friday for the NYC Gotham Cup, held at the New Balance Track and Field Center at the Armory. The Leopards will join 10 other teams in competition, including Army and Lehigh from the Patriot League.

The Leopards are coming off a strong performance last weekend at the Crowell Open in West Point, N.Y. Freshman Janica Austin finished third in the 60-meter hurdles with a time of 8.75 seconds, qualifying for ECACs. Her time is the third-fastest in Lafayette history. Sophomore Sifiso Takirambudde tied for third in the men's 60-meter hurdles, running it in 8.5 seconds.

Sophomore Kyle Clayton tied for second in the men's high jump with a height of 6'2 ¼". He set a school record in the indoor heptathlon last year by scoring 4,314 points at the Patriot League Indoor Championships.

In the throws, sophomore Connor McGee placed second in the shot put with a throw of 50'2 ½". Junior Osasumwen Izevbigie finished third in the women's shot put with a distance of 45'5 ¼".

Senior Ashley Harbin won the 20-lb. weight throw en route to qualifying for ECACs and reaching the NCAA provisional standard. Her throw of 64'8" broke the school record she set a year ago by more than a foot. Harbin was named the Patriot League Female Field Athlete of the Week for her accomplishment.

Harbin and the other female throwers will not participate in the Gotham Cup on Friday. They will instead travel with associate head coach Michele Curcio to Penn State University to compete in the Penn State Open on Saturday.

The NYC Gotham Cup is scheduled to start at 1 p.m. with the women's 60-meter hurdles. Results will posted in real time on www,directathletics.com.