Feb. 3, 2006

NEW ORLEANS, La. - The Tulane University women's indoor track team will be in action this weekend at the sixth annual New Balance Collegiate Invitational at the New York City Armory, a long-time track and field venue. However, that was no guarantee a few months ago due to the financial constraints put on the Green Wave Athletic Department by Hurricane Katrina.

Thankfully, the President of the Armory Foundation, Dr. Norbert Sander, and Meet Director Jack Pfeifer went into action and pulled together a plan to finance the Green Wave trip to New York. The Armory will host 10 student-athletes and head coach Heather Van Norman this weekend.

In all, some 170 teams from 95 colleges and universities will be competing in the outstanding meet including many Olympians and record holders.

"Jack and I knew the team was under duress," Dr. Sander said. "They had no budget. We decided to put them up. It's something we really wanted to do. We knew it would be a morale booster."

"We really appreciate the kindness of the Armory in putting up our women," Van Norman said. "There was no way we could stay in New York without their help. Our athletes were spread out all over the country [through first semester]. Classes just started January 17, and our juniors and seniors are just getting into shape. We will be sending a group of freshmen and sophomores because they seem ready for this outstanding competition."

Among the athletes going to New York will be sophomore Aubrey Phillips, a miler and 3000-meter runner who was all-Louisiana last year; freshman Kerriann Langley, also a distance runner, who attended badly damaged Mt. Carmel Academy in New Orleans, and sophomore 400 meter runner Shannon Beelendorf, an Illinois resident who competed in the 4x400 meter relay at the NCAA Regionals as a freshman.

The following is the full schedule of Tulane athletes scheduled to compete this weekend:

Friday, Feb. 3
11:24 a.m. - 3,000 Meters - Kerriann Langley, Aubrey Phillips
12:48 p.m. - 400 Meters - Shanon Beelendorf, Valencia Wilson
3:20 p.m. - 60 Meters - Kyra Lobbins, Andrea Rosemond, Taneekwa Ross
4:10 p.m. - DMR - Whitney Hampton, Beelendorf, Vanessa Kienast, Phillips
4:40 p.m. - 800 Meters - Hampton, Kienast

Saturday, Feb. 4
10:45 a.m. - 200 Meters - Lobbins, Shaina Pelham, Rosemond
12:40 p.m. - 4x400 - Beelendorf, Pelham, Kienast, Wilson

Following this weekend's action, Tulane will compete at the Iowa State Invitational next weekend.