Andrews and Roller Earn All-America Honors at NCAA Championships

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EUGENE, Ore. – Freshman Robby Andrews used a runner-up finish and sophomore Lance Roller grabbed a sixth-place finish in the 800m to each earn All-America honors on the third day of competition at the 2010 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships at Hayward Field. Junior Steve Finley also competed on Friday, wrapping up his season with an 11th-place finish in the steeplechase.

In the much anticipated 800m match-up between Andrews and Oregon Olympian Andrew Wheating, it was Wheating that was finally victorious. Making his moves early, Wheating was able to pull away from the field early and defend his NCAA title in a time of 1:45.69. Andrews used his kick down the homestretch to move from last to second, finishing with a time of 1:46.83, while Roller took sixth in 1:47.64.

With their finishes, Andrews becomes the Cavaliers’ highest placer on the track at NCAAs since former NCAA Champion Paul Ereng won the event in 1989. The duo also joins Ereng as Virginia’s only All-Americans in the 800m.

In the steeplechase, Finley, making his first appearance in the NCAA finals, finished 11th with a time of 9:00.61. Louisville’s Matt Hughes won the title with a time of 8:34.18.

With two top-six finishes, the Cavalier men accumulated 11 points and currently sit ninth in the team competition. Texas A&M leads the way with 26 points, while Florida is second with 23. Kansas is third with 18.

Virginia will conclude competition tomorrow with senior Meghan Briggs and sophomore Tara Karin throwing the javelin at noon ET.

Virginia’s Schedule of Events/Results (all times Eastern)
Wednesday
Triple Jump Finals – Marcus Robinson – 23rd overall – 48′ 7.25″
800m Semifinals – Robby Andrews – 1st in heat – 1:45.53Q
800m Semifinals – Lance Roller – 4th in heat – 1:46.11q
Steeple Semifinals – Steve Finley – 6th in heat – 8:43.71Q
400m Hurdles Semifinals – Steve Delice – 4th in heat, 15th overall – 51.24
Q – denotes automatic qualifier for Friday’s finals
q – denotes at large qualifier for Friday’s finals

Thursday
Javelin Finals – Andy Fahringer – 18th – 209’ 4”
10k Finals – Ryan Collins – 19th – 29:48.76

Friday
800m Finals – Robby Andrews – 2nd – 1:46.83
800m Finals – Lance Roller – 6th – 1:47.64
Steeple Finals – Steve Finley – 11th – 9:00.61

Saturday
12:30 p.m. – Javelin Trials & Finals – Meghan Briggs, Tara Karin