A select few members of the Brandeis University men's and women's indoor track team spent Mar. 14 and 15 at DePauw University (Greencastle, Ind.) for the NCAA Division III championship meet.Ryan Parker '06 began the festivities for the Judges, competing in the 800 Meter trials. "He put in a valiant effort for 600 Meters," said Head Coach Jean Cann, "then got bumped and ran out of gas during the last lap."

"Ryan's had an amazing season," added Cann, "just to make it to NCAA's as a freshman is a huge accomplishment and we're looking forward to some great things outdoors from him."

In the Distance Medley Relay, Caitlin Malloy '04, Mariko Tansey-Holbrook '04, Jessica Curlew '04 and Karel Charles '05 proved why they are one of the most successful relay teams in Brandeis history. The four upperclassmen finished third overall with a time of 11:53.52. The relay's first-place finisher, four runners from Wartburg College (Waverly, Iowa), won with the season's best D-III meet time.

"Caitlin Malloy took the lead after two laps and led for the remaining four," said Cann. "She gave the team a three-second gap ahead of the second-place team at the time. Karel Charles ran one of her best races of the season on the 400 Meter leg and despite having a lower back injury, Jess Curlew tied her best indoor time in the 800 Meter leg of the race."

Holbrook, who Cann has nicknamed the team's "superstar anchor," was forced to overcome a number of the country's top D-III runners. Among that heap was Liz Woodworth of the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, who has captured the last two 800 Meter races, as well as Wartburg College's Missy Butry, who has been victorious in the past two 1500 Meter D-III championship races.

"Running at National's is exciting regardless of what event you run," said Malloy, "and relays are the most exciting events they are. To have come in third in the nation is quite an achievement.