Alumni Update - Arkangelo James (Bethany)

Bethany sophomore middle distance runner Arkangelo James, a Baldwin High School graduate, was named the Presidents' Athletic Conference Men's Track Athlete of the Week.

James captured the 400 meter dash for the second straight week, touching first in .49.40 at the Marietta Don Frail Invitational. He also ran a leg for the second-place Bison 4x400 relay team (3:24.71) and finished eighth in the 200 meter dash (23.23).

The highlight of James' day was 400 as that time qualified him for the 2012 ECAC Outdoor Track Championships scheduled for May 17-18. It's the second straight week he's won the 400 at a big meet, as he claimed first in the event at the Washington & Jefferson Invitational March 31 with a winning time of 50.44 seconds.

While James has had recent success in the 400, his best event this year is the 800. In the first outdoor meet of the year on March 24 at Wheeling Jesuit, James finished second overall and first among non-scholarship runners with a time of 1:53.59. That time places him in the top 12 in the country among Division III competitors and if it holds or if he turns in a faster time, would qualify him for NCAA Division III Championships.

James narrowly missed out on competing at nationals last year. The top 19 times in the country were extended invitations in the 800 and James ranked 20th. His time of 1:52.54 set a new Bethany record and placed him fifth at ECAC Championships last spring, but left him .03 away from making the cut for national championships.

(photo courtesy of Bethany College)