Sports Briefs: W. track breaks records, m. lax coach to leave Brown

Willard continues breaking track records after graduation It would have been understandable if Anna Willard '06 had taken some time off from running after graduating in May. Instead, the middle distance runner has put together a string of record-breaking performances and is beginning to think about making a career of track and field.

"I wanted to break as many Brown records as I could before I run out of eligibility at Brown (on August 31)," Willard said. "I figured that as long as I was in shape I would continue competing throughout the summer."

In late May, Willard won the 3,000-meter steeplechase race at the NCAA East Regional competition with a time of 10:12 to qualify for the national event the following week.

Willard did not slow down at the national event either. She took third in her preliminary race, running another 10:12, to qualify for the finals. That time was just one second behind the first-place finisher in her group and 0.3 seconds behind the runner-up.

In the finals, Willard blew past three runners in the final 300 meters to claim sixth place with a time of 10:06. Her effort earned her All-American status, an honor she had already earned during the indoor season this winter.

As a result of these efforts, Willard's wish to break more school records became reality. On June 20, Willard raced in a co-ed heat of the 1,500-meter run, and her time of 4:19.9 smashed the old record of 4:23.05 set in 1994 by Heather Porch '94. This past weekend, she posted a 9:28 in the 3,000-meter event, narrowly taking down the four-year-old record of 9:29.44 posted by Kim Thalmann '02. Her 10:06 time in the NCAA finals in the steeplechase improved on her own Brown record for that event.

The two-time All-American harrier now holds every outdoor Brown individual record from the 800-meter to the 5,000-meter run and is also part of the school record distance medley and 4x800 squads.

Willard explained that running during the summer - as a graduate, no less - is a much different experience than running while in school.

"It's been a different experience, keeping in mind that this is all for me and not for a team, like it's been for four years. When I go to practice, no one else is there. Sometimes (Director of Track and Field) Craig Lake isn't even there. It's definitely rewarding but I do miss my teammates."

Fortunately, fellow graduate and All-American Kelly Powell '06 has been pacing Willard at most of the events this season so Willard can conserve energy until the latter half of races.

Willard has competed in California, New York and even the Dominican Republic for the national under-23 team. "I wanted one more test for myself in the 1,500 after nationals because I hadn't turned in a good time in that event this year. But I kept doing well and just decided to keep going."

In Santa Domingo over the weekend of July 8-9, Willard's time of 10:23 in the steeplechase won her the event. She was representing the American squad at the international event that featured athletes from 33 North American countries.

With all the success she has accumulated so far, Willard has now turned her attention to the professional ranks. After she uses her one remaining year of eligibility by enrolling in graduate school and competing for a different college next season, she is eyeing a jump to the professional level next year.

"Recently, the guys' team has had some members make the jump to running professionally," Willard said. "Coach Lake has really helped me keep my eyes open. I hadn't really thought of (turning professional) as a possibility until now."

Grovey '06 leaps into All-American ranks While Willard was dominating the steeplechase events, her standout teammate Brittany Grovey '06 also moved on to the national competition in the triple jump with a leap of 43 feet, 9.4 inches.

Grovey competed all season with a stress fracture in her leg but still managed to finish fifth in the regional competition. She almost broke that mark at the national event, and her jump of 43, 2.25 qualified her for the finals. From there she fell off to 10th place with a 41, 11.5. But two competitors ahead of her were not United States citizens, so Grovey earned All-American status for the second time this year.

Men's lax coach resigns The head coach of the men's lacrosse team, Scott Nelson, resigned July 3. Nelson had compiled a 34-47 mark in six seasons with the Bears. His resignation will become effective Aug. 1.

Nelson guided Brown to a 9-5 overall mark in 2004 and was named the New England Coach of the Year. But the team came apart at the seams quickly this season, struggling out of the gate and dropping nine straight contests at the end. The team finished 2-11 overall and was winless in Ivy League play.

Director of Athletics Michael Goldberger would not comment on the reasons for Nelson's departure, saying only that the situation is difficult for everyone involved.

Goldberger also said a search committee is being formed to find a replacement.