Men’s track heads to Notre Dame Invitational

TUSCALOOSA | The University of Alabama men’s track and field team will open its 2008 indoor season at the Notre Dame Indoor Opener on Friday night. Alabama is one of 13 schools competing at the Loftus Sports Center. The meet is set to begin at 5:30 p.m. with the men’s long jump and the first running events are slated for 6:30 p.m.

“It will be a good meet to see how our young athletes fit into the scheme of things,” UA coach Harvey Glance said. “This meet will be a real test for our younger talent but at the same time I expect our seasoned veterans to do a fine job and just get this season started.”

Headlining the competition will be Notre Dame, Loyola, Depaul, Hillsdale College, and West Virginia Wesleyan.

Alabama will send seven athletes that will be making their Crimson Tide debut, including six freshmen. The other is highly touted junior college transfer Antoine Fant. Fant earned All-American honors at Wallace State in four different events and produced a top-100 time in the world in the 55-meter hurdles.

Senior sprinter Michael Cooley will make his 2008 debut along with pole vaulter Brandon Schneider and high jumper Tyler Boswell. Cooley opened up the season last year with a fourth place finish among NCAA runners at the Kentucky Invite.

The Tide welcomes back All-American Emmanuel Bor. The Kenya native took home top honors at the SEC Championships in the mile and he added a second place finish in the 3000 meters.

Alabama is coming off its most successful cross country season in school history as Alabama earned a sixth place finish at the NCAA Championships. Junior Augustus Maiyo was tabbed an All-American after placing 18th overall.

Alabama will continue its indoor season at the Boise State Invitational. The meet will be held Jan. 26 and will be an all-day event.