WINSTON-SALEM, NC - The Iona University men's outdoor track team had three representatives at the Wake Forest Invitational at Kentner Stadium. The Gaels were led by strong performances by senior Damien Dilcher and sophomore Aidan Coles in two separate 1,500-meter events.

1500-METER INVITE RUN

Dilcher set a school record in the 1,500-meters posting a time of 3:39.42, the program's first-ever sub 3:40 effort in the event. The effort comes three weeks after he ran the second fastest time in school history, a 3:41.04 in Raleigh on March 28. Dilcher was the third collegiate finisher and fourth overall in the race. The time is the 15th fastest in the NCAA this season and ninth fastest in the East. He lowered his time for the lead on the MAAC leaderboard ahead of three Iona teammates. Former Gael Mael Gouyette was the previous school record holder, after a 3:40.48 at last year's NCAA Championship.

1500-METER RUN

Coles ran a personal best time in the 1,500-meter event posting a 3:42.14 good for the fifth fastest effort in program history. It ranks No. 3 in the MAAC, 58 in the East, and 76 in the NCAA this season. He was second overall among 58 finishers in the race.
 
As a group, Iona's quartet of Dilcher, Coles, freshman Bradley Giblin and senior Nick Soldevere ranked No. 13 in the nation, averaging 3:42.72. Giblin (3:41.71) and Soldevere's top times are converted miles (3:42.51) and rank in the Top 100 in the NCAA this year.

800-METER RUN

Soldevere was the third Gael to complete action in North Carolina, posting a time of 1:56.01 in the 800-meter event. It was short of his top effort this spring of 1:51.90 in Raleigh, the second fastest time in the MAAC this year.

IONA PERFORMERS:

800: Nick Soldevere, 44th, 1:56.01. 1500: Aiden Coles, 2nd, 3:42.14. 1500 Invite: Damien Dilcher, 4th, 3:39.42.

UP NEXT

The Gaels are in action tomorrow at Yale and at South Carolina.

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