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Blue runs away in intercollegiate meet

Speed kills.

The state of Michigan found that out Saturday as the Wolverines dominated the field at the Michigan Intercollegiate men's track meet.

The Track and Tennis Building was filled with fans from across the state, each cheering for a different school.

Michigan State, Western Michigan, Eastern Michigan, Central Michigan and the University of Detroit joined the host Wolverines in comprising the field.

The battle for supremacy from the state's Division I schools was highlighted by Michigan's numerous outstanding performances. The Wolverines got off to a slow start but gained steam as the meet rolled along.

This meet was supposed to be Jon Royce's opportunity to qualify for the NCAA National meet outright in the high jump, but he came up short.

Behind the cheering support of the crowd, Royce cleared 2.16 meters (7'1"). While this jump met the provisional qualifying standard, the height of 2.25 meters would have automatically qualified Royce for the Nationals.

The first running event was a repeat performance by the distance medley team. Clear favorites entering the race, the Michigan medley team lived up to expectations and came in at 10:08.0, just two seconds off its time a week ago.

The 5000 meter race began after the distance medley. Michigan freshman Todd Snyder, a hometown runner from Ann Arbor Pioneer, broke through with the race of his life.

After running in the back of the pack for most of the race, Snyder emerged on the last three laps to take the lead and run away with the race in 14:38.4.

"I got some advice to hang back through the middle of the race and then I could go from there in the end," Snyder said.

"I haven't been running up to my full potential in the last couple of races. Now I've got more drive," he added.

After Snyder's victory, Kevin Sullivan had the chance to emulate his fellow teammate's performance in the mile.

Sullivan came out on the first lap, shadowing the leading pack as it attempted to break away, but Sullivan took command.

He seized the lead and showed why he is the defending NCAA champion in the event. Going in to the race, All-American Sullivan was a prohibitive favorite with a qualifying time almost seven seconds ahead of his nearest competitor.

"I got out good in the first 1,000 meters today but got tied up in the last quarter," Sullivan said. "I'm not racing as well right now. I'm just not sharp."

In what turned out to be the closest race of the afternoon, Todd Burnham of Michigan leaned at the tape to win the 600 meter race.

His time of 1:19.4 was an improvement over his previous time of 1:20.91.

Neil Gardner captured the 55-meter hurdles with a time of 7.38 seconds.

Trinity Townsend did all he could to make a name for himself.

After winning the 800 meters one hour earlier, Townsend anchored the 1600 meter relay team. Townsend made up significant ground in the race and just came up short at the finish line.

The Wolverines dominated the meet, and Sullivan stated what was already known.