BOSTON, MA - Five members of the Iona College men's and women's indoor track squads competed at the 2022 BU Last Chance Meet and performed masterfully in the event at Boston University's Track and Tennis Center.

MEN'S 5,000-METER RUN

Senior Ehab El-Sandali finished second in the 5k event, posting a personal best time of 13:25.01. It was the 10th fastest time in the NCAA this season and fastest among runners in the Northeast region. El-Sandali's previous best was 13:28.79, set earlier this season when he ran the second fastest time in school history. The time remains No. 2 at Iona, behind the 13:19.54 run by former US Olympian Leonard Korir at the Millrose Games in 2012.
 
El-Sandali was four seconds behind Oregon's Aaron Bienenfeld, whose time was fifth fastest in the NCAA this year.

MEN'S 3,000-METER RUN

Junior Jamie Dee also ran a personal best time in Boston, posting a 7:54.87 in the 3,000-meter run. It was the second fastest Iona time this season behind El-Sandali's school record 7:48.00 set on the same track two weeks ago. He became the fifth Gael this season to run a sub-8-minute 3k, joining El-Sandali, Joshua DeSouza, Jonathan DeSouza and Mael Gouyette. Dee's time was eighth fastest in the Northeast this indoor campaign.

MEN'S MILE RUN

Iona newcomer Mael Gouyette became the first Gael this season to run a sub-4-minute mile, posting a personal best time of 3:59.89. Gouyette's time ranks No. 7 among competitors in the Northeast this season. He was 15th overall in Boston, finishing behind Gael alumnus Liam Dee who ran a 3:58.87 running for team Ghouls 'n Goblins.

WOMEN'S 3,000-METER RUN

Junior Sophie Murphy posted a personal best time of 9:29.62 and finished 10th in the women's 3k. It was the 22nd fastest time in the Northeast this season. Her previous personal best in the 3k indoors came as a freshman with a 9:38.60 at the Fastrack National Invite in Staten Island.

WOMEN'S MILE

Senior Gemma Nuttall finish ninth in the mile, posting a time of 4:47.97. Her season best time of 4:45.65 came a week ago in her MAAC Championship winning performance. Nuttall's career-best came in the same meet in 2020, a 4:39.03.

IONA RUNNERS

Men:

Mile: Mael Gouyette, 15th, 3:59.89. 3k: Jamie Dee, 5th, 7:54.87. 5k: Ehab El-Sandali, 2nd, 13:25.01.

Women:

Mile: Gemma Nuttall, 9th, 4:47.97. 3k: Sophie Murphy, 10th, 9:29.62.

UP NEXT

The Gaels will compete at the IC4A and ECAC Championships next weekend in Boston. They will also await selection for the 2022 NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships, March 11-12 in Birmingham, AL. Currently, El-Sandali ranks 10th on the 5,000-meter indoor qualifying list and 29th in the 3,000-meter event.

SOCIAL MEDIA

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