Outdoor Track & Field
Rider at IC4A/ECAC Championships - Day One
Callan Sets Rider Record in 3,000 meter Steeplechase

PRINCETON--Junior Chelsea Callan (Hazlet/Raritan) of the Rider University track and field team set a Rider record in the 3000m steeplechase on Friday at the Eastern College Athletic Conference Championships, hosted by Princeton University.

Callan placed 23rd overall with a time of 11:08.24, breaking her own record by over 11 seconds, set as a sophomore in 2009.

"Chelsea ran a really nice race," said head coach Bob Hamer.  "She faded a little over the last 1000 meters but she ran well.  Her goal was to break 11 minutes and she just missed it."

Callan was the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference champion in the steeplechase with a time of 11:23.19 in a meet hosted by Rider two weeks ago.

"I'm proud of her effort," Hamer added.  "She had a great year and we are looking to build on it for next season.  She peaked at the right time and put up her best numbers of the season in the steeplechase."

On Saturday, several members of Rider men's team will compete at IC4As in hammer, 1500m, 110m hurdles, 800m, 400m hurdles and the 4x100 and 4x400 relays.

Also on Saturday, several members of the Rider women's team will compete at ECACs in the hammer, 4x100 relay, 400m hurdles and 4x400 relay.

"This sends a message to the rest of the team," Hamer said.  "I didn't want them to be happy just to make IC4A and ECACs.  I want them to keep getting better and accomplish the results that they deserve.  We need to go out and perform at our highest level and Chelsea got us off to a great start from a team stand point that we want success when we get to this level."

The finals of the running events take place at Princeton on Sunday.

-RU-