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Luke Watson scored big for the Irish while winning the steeple and 5000 meters

It was all Notre Dame and Miami as the Fighting Irish took the men's team title with 139 points while the Hurricanes claimed the women's team title with 166 points at the 2003 Big East Outdoor Championships at Connecticut from May 2-4.

Helping lead the way for the Hurricanes on Saturday was Adrienne Moss of Miami as she took top honors in the shot put with her heave of 50-04.75. "I felt pretty good about my throw even though it wasn't the best of the season," said Moss after her victory.

"I'm just happy to be in the position I am in right now. I don't think I will throw again until the regional meet since I'm still coming off of shoulder surgery and I would like to rest up as much as I can."

Miami was also led by the talents of Lauryn Williams who led off the winning 4x100 meter relay and claimed the 100 meters in 11.62 while facing a stiff headwind of -1.4.

Charlette Greggs of Miami also had a big weekend by taking both the 200 meters (23.18) and 400 meters (52.17). Teammate Patricia Pearson won the 800 meters in 2:06.94.

Tameisha King of Notre Dame came away with the long jump with her mark of 21-08.25. It wasn't easy for King as the chilly weather on Saturday played some of a factor. "It was a little windy and chilly out here, but I tried not to let that get to me during my jumps," said King after her title.

"I'm actually graduating next weekend, so it looks like the next time I'll jump again will be at the regional meet at Ohio State."

Rutgers was led by Sam Segond in the discus as his throw of 184-01 claimed the event. "I felt average after my performance today," said Segond.

"I had a back problem during the indoor season that set my training back 4 months and I'm just now getting back into everything. This meet was a good stepping-stone as I didn't have a throw below 180 feet."

The men's long jump belonged to Brandon Howard of West Virginia. Although the victory was nice, Howard clearly had other things on his mind over the weekend.

"I have a grandmother that's sick back home so I'm hoping she's doing better when I talk to her next," said the humble Howard after the title ceremony. "She's the reason I compete today."

Charlette Greggs won the 200 and 400 meters for Miami

As the nation knows by now, West Virginia's men's track & field program will not be back next year due to budget cuts. Howard, who is currently a junior, is leaving his options open for next year. "Right now I may just stay at school and play football or I may even transfer," said Howard.

The women's triple jump went to Melanie Carter with her leap of 42-10.75. Freshman Kristen Michalski of Syracuse won the hammer throw with her mark of 190-01.

It was a sub 10-minute performance for Roisin McGettigan of Providence as she claimed the 3000 meter steeplechase on Saturday evening in 9:58.26. "I really wanted to come out here and run a personal best today," said McGettigan after her race.

"Looking ahead before regionals, I might just race a 1500 meters to work more on my speed and I'll actually be graduating in the coming week so I'll still be busy off the track."

After his 45.28 in the prelims on Saturday, Obra Hogans of Seton Hall came back the next day to run 45.30 to take the 400 meter title. Even though the run was good enough for the title, Hogans wanted a sub-45.

"I feel ok with my run, but I was going after a 44-second performance today," said Hogans after the race. "When I hit the 150 meter mark, I felt my hamstring grab a little and I was almost hesitant to even finish the race. Don't get me wrong, having a 45-second performance is nice, but I know I can run faster."

Joe Mendel of Connecticut placed second behind Hogans with his clocking of 46.45.

It was one of the closest finishes in Big East history as five runners finished under 1:50 but none was able to break 1:49. The title went to Jesse O'Connell of Georgetown with his time of 1:49.00.

Luke Watson of Notre Dame came away with two titles over the weekend by claiming the steeplechase in 8:49.45 on Saturday and then the 5000 meters in 14:14.14 on Sunday.

Nicholas O'Brien of Villanova turned in a sub-50 second performance in the 400 meter hurdles with his time of 49.90 which also took the event.

The men's hammer throw went to freshman Spyridon Jullien of Virginia Tech with his mark of 228-04.

Tamara McGill of Pittsburgh broke the all-time Big East record in the heptathlon with her score of 5240 points. In the decathlon, Will Thomas of Connecticut came close to cracking 8000 but manages to score a total of 7819 to win the event.