M., W. Track Head to George Mason

Think your schedule is busy for this reading period? Exams and papers have you running around?

For the men and women's track teams, academics are only one thing to worry about this weekend, as both teams head into tournament competition at George Mason University in Fairfax, Va.

The men will compete in the IC4A tournament, while the women will participate in the ECAC championships, both individual meets.

Ten Harvard runners will travel to the tournaments by virtue of outstanding individual performances throughout the regular season.

Captain Joe Ciollo is one Harvard runner making the trip.

"The competition will be one notch below NCAAs," Ciollo said. "Everyone has their own personal goals for the weekend."

For some team members, the weekend competition offers the chance to qualify for the NCAA tournament.

Junior Darren Dinneen is hoping to make the next round. Dinneen's season-best time in the 800m is 1:48.69, ranking him No. 21 in the nation. However, only the top 19 seeds qualify for the NCAA tournament.

"I need to break 1:48," Dinneen said. "I'm feeling pretty good, I just need to run all-out."

Dinneen and the Crimson will face tough competition from schools throughout the east-coast region.

"Some of the top five runners in the nation will be there," Dinneen said. "But I think they'll pull me up."

Sophomore high jump standout Dora Gyorffy has already qualified for NCAA competition, along with sophomore Chris Clever in the javelin.

Ciollo, despite holding the Harvard record in the 500m, will run the 400m this weekend.

Other Crimson runners competing this weekend include junior Dave Martin and senior Scott Muoio in the 3000, and junior Caroline Johnston in the hammer throw.

Also competing at George Mason will be sophomore Brenda Johnston in hurdles, sophomore John Kraay in shot put, sophomore Mary Unsworth in the 1500m, and freshman Aaron Snead in pole vault.

"This weekend will be the best competition of the year," Unsworth said. "I'm right on the bubble for making the finals, and need to run a fast heat to make it."

While most of this weekend's Crimson competitors will be making their last appearances for the year, the team has planned a two-week summer trip to England and Ireland.