Matawan's Hurtault third in NCAA 400 Ex-Husky star sets Ivy League record, earns second AA honor What better way for Erison Hurtault to bring his record-setting collegiate career to a conclusion than to go out setting another record. The Colombia University senior gained All-American honors in his final race for the Lions when he finished third in the 400 meters at the NCAA Championships held in Sacramento, Calif. His time, 45.40, lowered his own school record and is the fastest fully automatic time ever run by an Ivy League sprinter, and puts him in the running for the U.S. Olympic Trials next year. "Everything went so well at the nationals and we're really proud of Erison," said Columbia's head track and field coach Willy Wood. "He finished his career on a strong note and we couldn't be happier for him." The third place at the NCAAs, the best finish for the Matawan High School graduate at the championships, was just the latest in a long line of accomplishments for Hurtualt. During the indoor season, he became the first Ivy sprinter to win four-straight 400 championships. He also earned All-Ivy honors in the 200 and 4x400 relay and made All-America for the first time at the NCAAs. Hurtault followed that up this spring with his fourth straight outdoor 400 title for another Ivy League record, making it eight championships in the same event. At the Penn Relays, Hurtault was part of the 4x800 relay team that captured the Championship of America race, becoming the first Lion team to win an event at this meet since 1938. Now that he has established himself as one of the country's best 400 runners, and with a promising start in the 800 (a 1:50 at the Penn Relays without training for the event), Hurtault said he is going to sit down with Coach Wood and weigh his options for this year and the looming Olympic Trials. "I'm looking to compete throughout the summer," said Hurtault. Matawan's Alexander 11th at national championships The Nike Outdoor Nationals in Greensboro, N.C., closed the door on the 2007 high school track and field season. For area athletes, last weekend was one last chance to compete, and this time it was against the nation's best. Matawan's Donna Alexander, the Shore Conference record holder and State Group III champion, was 11th in the girl's triple jump. The Husky's best jump at the NON was 38-2 3/4. Her teammate Eric Scurry was 20th in the javelin throw, 115-10. Holmdel sophomore George Galasso, who enjoyed a breakout season, turned in a 4:18.07 in finishing fifth in the boy's Emerging Elite one-mile run. - Tim Morris