Jan. 13, 2012

New York, N.Y. - Senior Lucy Van Dalen (Wanganui, New Zealand) has been invited to run in the 105th Millrose Games at the New Balance Track & Field Center at the Armory. Van Dalen will be part of the inaugural New York Road Runners' Wanamaker Metric Mile for Women.

"I have watched the Millrose Games as a spectator for the past few years so to be running in the 1500m this year is very exciting for me,'' Van Dalen said in a statement. "The Millrose Games is such a prestigious event and I feel honored to be able to participate it in. I feel that my training is going very well at the moment as I prepare for the NCAA Championships, so depending on how the race develops at Millrose, I feel that I will be prepared to run well."

The Wanamaker Metric Mile is equivalent to the 1,500, a race Van Dalen shined in at the NCAA Outdoor Championships. Despite finishing second in the event in a time of 4:15.33, her personal best is a 4:11.59, set in Padova, Italy last summer.

"Lucy's invitation is great news, not only for her, but for the program and Stony Brook University," head coach Andy Ronan said. "It's a reflection of how far she has come as an athlete and the respect the program is gaining. It will be an exciting evening and I know she will do herself and Stony Brook proud."

The American collegiate record is 4:10.20, set in 1985 by Clemson's Tina Krebs. World Champion and USA Olympian Jennifer Simpson, who has a personal best of 3:59.90 in the 1500, also will run in the race.

The race is scheduled for 8 p.m. on February 11.

The Millrose Games, the most historic indoor track & field event in the world, is in its first year at the Armory after 98 years at Madison Square Garden.