Va. Tech Track Director Speaks Amid Charges Against Runner

BLACKSBURG, Va. (AP) -- The director of track and field at Virginia Tech says it's been a "tough week" for his team amid allegations that a freshman distance runner fatally stabbed a 13-year-old girl.

The Roanoke Times reports that Dave Cianelli made his first public comments on Friday since 18-year-old David Eisenhauer was charged with murder. Another student, 19-year-old Natalie Keepers, has been charged with accessory before and after the fact.

Cianelli did not address the allegations specifically but said the team was "trying to just keep everything basically as routine as we can." He wore Virginia Tech colors, with the exception of a royal blue ribbon in honor of the victim, 13-year-old Nicole Lovell.

Blue was Nicole's favorite color, and many athletes wore a similar ribbon on their jerseys.