Davidson College

LYNCHBURG Va. – Senior Tom Divinnie rewrote the Davidson men's track and field record books for the second time in as many meets, winning the 5000-meter run at the Liberty Open in a school-record, 14 minutes, 44.59 seconds Friday night in Tolsma Indoor Track Center.

"That was another tremendous effort from Tom," said head coach Gary Andrew. "Half-way through the race he was on his own."

The Wildcats claimed four of the top-five positions in the event. Junior Charlie Schmitt nearly eclipsed the previous record of 15:02.3, set by Lance Harden in 2006, finishing third in 15:03.89, exactly one-tenth of a second shy of second-place finisher Benjamin Ronoh of Eastern Tennessee State.

Sophomore Ryan Hopkins took fourth in a personal-best 15:08.86, the ninth-best time in Davidson history. Hopkins now ranks as the 'Cats' sixth-best performer in the event all-time. Freshman Demetrios Pagonis rounded out the top-five in 15:19.58, ranking him as the ninth-best Davidson performer in the event. Freshman Wes Reynolds placed eighth in 15:52.29.

"It was a terrific performance overall," said Andrew. "The guys really got after it and had a great start to this meet."

Divinnie broke Davidson's 3000-meter run record in the Wildcats' season-opening event Saturday, Jan. 23, the Kent Taylor UNC Classic. Divinnie won the event in 8:24.47, surpassing Alex Hoyt's mark of 8.35.14 and Dan Gibson's oversize track mark of 8:25.7.

Divinnie's new 5000m record also surpasses Gibson's oversize mark in the event of 14:59.22, set in 2002.

The 5000m was the only event the 'Cats competed in on Friday. The team will compete in select events on the second day of competition Saturday.

Divinnie Smashes 5000m Record at Liberty Open