Temple University Athletics
Friday, February 22
Birmingham, Al.
Temple University
at
AAC Indoor Championships (Day 1)
Gottlieb, Howard and White Advance to Finals on Day One of AAC Indoor Championships
2.22.19 | Women's Track and Field
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Temple University track and field team had a solid first day at the American Athletic Conference Indoor Track and Field Championships on Friday, Feb. 22 at the Birmingham CrossPlex. In an action-packed day, the middle distance duo of Helene Gottlieb and Millie Howard advanced to the finals in both the 800m and the mile and freshman Marissa White had an outstanding top-eight performance in the 400m to highlight day one of the AAC Championships.
Meet Highlights
> Gottlieb and Howard set the tone early for the Owls, opening an exciting day in the preliminary round of the mile. The pair took the race out strong, running side-by-side to lead the pack of AAC runners. Rounding the last curve of the 1600m, the duo shot forward to cross the finish line just four hundredths of a second apart. Gottlieb took first overall in the prelims after finishing the race in 4:57.61, and Howard ran the second fastest time of 4:57.65. The two will be back in action tomorrow morning at 11:20 for finals in the event.
> White was a warrior on the track today for her first ever American Athletic Conference Championships. In the 400m, the ninth-seeded freshman gave it her all to win her heat in 55.71, just .07 off of her personal record. Although she has not won every event, White maintains an undefeated record in every individual section she has run in this season, illustrating her grit and determination on the track.
> The Owls continue to be a steady force in the 800m. The Gottlieb-Howard duo came to compete once again in their second event of the day, each running their fastest times of the season and advancing into tomorrow's final. Gottlieb finished the half mile in 2:09.33, good for third place in the prelims, and Howard clocked a time of 2:10.90 for seventh place overall. Senior Ashton Dunkley just missed the qualifying mark by just over a second, finishing 11th with a time of 2:12.64.
> Michelle Joyce was a bright light for Temple in the 5000m on Friday afternoon. Surpassing her previous personal record by almost 12 seconds, the sophomore finished the 5K in 17:23.28 to place 12th overall.
> The distance medley relay of Gottlieb, White, Dunkley and Lucy Jones showed true heart on the track this afternoon to conclude the evening. After racing both the mile and the 800m already today, Gottlieb battled her way through the 1200m leg, giving everything she had to put the Owls up front. White put on an incredible showing in the 400m, splitting one of her fastest legs of the season to keep Temple in the pack. Dunkley fought her way through a tough contingent of 800m runners, and Jones anchored the relay with her fastest mile of the year.
From the Coach
> "Day one of the championships is complete, and it was tough how a lot of things played out for us," said head coach Elvis Forde. "We had expectations of what we wanted to accomplish, and I feel like we had a few missed opportunities on the day. Due to unfortunate circumstances, we did not place as high as we would have hoped in the 5000m with Kira. We were happy with Michelle's personal best in the event, but at conferences points are extremely important.
> We were thrilled to qualify Millie and Helene in both the 800m and the mile, and look forward to watching them compete in both of those races tomorrow. We were hoping to sneak Ashton into the 800m finals as well, and she was so close but it was not in the cards today. Helene had a tough day, but a great one at that. Running the leg in the DMR that she did after already qualifying in two events was really special. Marissa also had an outstanding leg, and Ashton and Lucy truly gave it their best shot. What was most important was the effort that they all gave.
> It was tremendous to see Marissa make it in the 400m as a freshman. She does all of the small things that she needs to do in order for her to be successful, and she really believes in the things that she is doing because she wants it so badly. As a coach, you cannot give the others the ability to want to succeed, and it is clear that she wants it more than anything else.
> Tomorrow is another day, and we look forward to going back to compete all over again and see what we can do on day two."
Up Next
> The Owls will be back in action for day two of the AAC Indoor Track and Field Championships tomorrow, Feb. 23. The meet will kick off at 9:45 a.m. with Aisha Brown and Kayla Nesbitt-McEwen in the high jump, and Candus Burks will be back on the runway in at 11 a.m. for the triple jump.
> Howard and Gottlieb will represent Temple in the mile finals at 11:20 a.m., the first event on the track for the day. Soon after, White will race the 400m dash finals at 11:40 a.m. Gottlieb and Howard will return at 1 p.m. for the 800m finals.
> Kira Von Ehren, Joyce, Jones and Katie Leisher will race the 3000m at 2:10 p.m. Following, the AAC Championships will conclude with the 4x400m relay at 2:40 p.m.
Meet Highlights
> Gottlieb and Howard set the tone early for the Owls, opening an exciting day in the preliminary round of the mile. The pair took the race out strong, running side-by-side to lead the pack of AAC runners. Rounding the last curve of the 1600m, the duo shot forward to cross the finish line just four hundredths of a second apart. Gottlieb took first overall in the prelims after finishing the race in 4:57.61, and Howard ran the second fastest time of 4:57.65. The two will be back in action tomorrow morning at 11:20 for finals in the event.
> White was a warrior on the track today for her first ever American Athletic Conference Championships. In the 400m, the ninth-seeded freshman gave it her all to win her heat in 55.71, just .07 off of her personal record. Although she has not won every event, White maintains an undefeated record in every individual section she has run in this season, illustrating her grit and determination on the track.
> The Owls continue to be a steady force in the 800m. The Gottlieb-Howard duo came to compete once again in their second event of the day, each running their fastest times of the season and advancing into tomorrow's final. Gottlieb finished the half mile in 2:09.33, good for third place in the prelims, and Howard clocked a time of 2:10.90 for seventh place overall. Senior Ashton Dunkley just missed the qualifying mark by just over a second, finishing 11th with a time of 2:12.64.
> Michelle Joyce was a bright light for Temple in the 5000m on Friday afternoon. Surpassing her previous personal record by almost 12 seconds, the sophomore finished the 5K in 17:23.28 to place 12th overall.
> The distance medley relay of Gottlieb, White, Dunkley and Lucy Jones showed true heart on the track this afternoon to conclude the evening. After racing both the mile and the 800m already today, Gottlieb battled her way through the 1200m leg, giving everything she had to put the Owls up front. White put on an incredible showing in the 400m, splitting one of her fastest legs of the season to keep Temple in the pack. Dunkley fought her way through a tough contingent of 800m runners, and Jones anchored the relay with her fastest mile of the year.
From the Coach
> "Day one of the championships is complete, and it was tough how a lot of things played out for us," said head coach Elvis Forde. "We had expectations of what we wanted to accomplish, and I feel like we had a few missed opportunities on the day. Due to unfortunate circumstances, we did not place as high as we would have hoped in the 5000m with Kira. We were happy with Michelle's personal best in the event, but at conferences points are extremely important.
> We were thrilled to qualify Millie and Helene in both the 800m and the mile, and look forward to watching them compete in both of those races tomorrow. We were hoping to sneak Ashton into the 800m finals as well, and she was so close but it was not in the cards today. Helene had a tough day, but a great one at that. Running the leg in the DMR that she did after already qualifying in two events was really special. Marissa also had an outstanding leg, and Ashton and Lucy truly gave it their best shot. What was most important was the effort that they all gave.
> It was tremendous to see Marissa make it in the 400m as a freshman. She does all of the small things that she needs to do in order for her to be successful, and she really believes in the things that she is doing because she wants it so badly. As a coach, you cannot give the others the ability to want to succeed, and it is clear that she wants it more than anything else.
> Tomorrow is another day, and we look forward to going back to compete all over again and see what we can do on day two."
Up Next
> The Owls will be back in action for day two of the AAC Indoor Track and Field Championships tomorrow, Feb. 23. The meet will kick off at 9:45 a.m. with Aisha Brown and Kayla Nesbitt-McEwen in the high jump, and Candus Burks will be back on the runway in at 11 a.m. for the triple jump.
> Howard and Gottlieb will represent Temple in the mile finals at 11:20 a.m., the first event on the track for the day. Soon after, White will race the 400m dash finals at 11:40 a.m. Gottlieb and Howard will return at 1 p.m. for the 800m finals.
> Kira Von Ehren, Joyce, Jones and Katie Leisher will race the 3000m at 2:10 p.m. Following, the AAC Championships will conclude with the 4x400m relay at 2:40 p.m.
Players Mentioned
Jumps
/ Women's Track and Field
Jumps
/ Women's Track and Field
Mid-Distance
/ Women's Track and Field
Mid-Distance
/ Women's Track and Field
Mid-Distance
/ Women's Track and Field
Mid-Distance
/ Women's Track and Field
Distance
/ Women's Track and Field
Distance
/ Women's Track and Field
Jumps
/ Women's Track and Field
Distance
/ Women's Track and Field
Sprints
/ Women's Track and FieldMBB Press Conference vs. ECU (Adam Fisher)
Thursday, January 08
Temple Men's Basketball 2025-26 All Access | Game 15 vs UTSA 1.03.2026
Tuesday, January 06
MBB Press Conference vs.UTSA (Adam Fisher, Gavin Griffiths, Jordan Mason)
Sunday, January 04
MBB Press Conference vs. Princeton (Adam Fisher)
Tuesday, December 23
