Bucknell University Athletics
Minor, McMenamin Compete at Virginia on Friday Evening
4/18/2021 11:53:00 AM | Men's Track and Field
McMenamin Posts Fifth-Fastest Time in School History in Steeplechase
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Seniors Connor McMenamin and Evan Minor each competed at the Virginia Challenge on Friday evening.
"I have been very proud of Connor, and the mindset that he has had since last winter when he had a breakout indoor season in 2020. He has been very focused with his training, and living the right lifestyle. The steeple is his race that he has embraced, and Friday night's race was a huge breakout for him not only on a physical side, but a mental side as well. He can now say that he is one of Bucknell's best ever as he ranks in our top five, and we have had some great steeplechasers over the years. Our steeplechasers have traditionally run faster in the championship meets in May, and I believe he has a great shot to make the NCAA East Preliminary in Jacksonville. As for Evan, he loves every aspect of the sport of distance running, and he has invested 100 percent into the sport. The past year he has put in numerous 100-mile weeks, and all he needed was a big breakout race, and he definitely got it Friday with a huge personal record. All that training has paid off, as he is now qualified for IC4A, and he will play a big factor at the league meet. Watching him cross the finish line with a huge smile knowing that he finally accomplished a goal that was a year in the making was priceless."
McMenamin highlighted the meet with an impressive finish in the steeplechase (14th, 8:56.56). McMenamin, who earned First Team All-League in cross country earlier this spring, has had an impressive senior season, and his mark ranks fifth on Bucknell's all-time list. The mark is just behind Mike Deckert in fourth (8:56.24), and ranks first in the Patriot League this season.
McMenamin is the first Bison to break into the Bucknell top ten in the steeplechase since Tyler Erhard moved into the eighth spot in 2014. Rick Sayre (8:42.54) holds the Bucknell record, which has stood since 1980.
Minor, another All-League selection for the Bison in cross country, had a strong day in the 10,000 (30:06.77) to finish 17th overall. Minor's time is a personal best, and is nearly two minutes faster than the last time he competed in the 10,000 outdoors at the Colonial Relays in 2019 (32:01.56). Minor also set a personal best in the 5000 (14:54.11) earlier this season at the UVA Opener.
The Bison will now look ahead to a road meet at Lehigh in their final tune up before the Patriot League Championships set to begin on April 30.
Players Mentioned
