February 14, 2009

INDOOR TRACK SETS RECORDS AT BU VALENTINE MEET

MEN'S RESULTS / WOMEN'S RESULTS

BOSTON - The Bryant University men's and women's indoor track and field teams put in their final tune up for the Northeast Conference Indoor Championships with a record-breaking performance at the Boston University Valentine's Day Invitational over the weekend .

The women kicked off the meet Friday with freshman Kat Ragone turning in a fine performance in the 3,000 meters.  Ragone eclipsed her personal-best by several seconds in finishing in a time of 10 minutes, 48.76 seconds - her first sub 11 minute performance of the season in the 3,000. 

Several Bulldogs set season-best marks on the day, including four individuals in the 800 meters led by Jennifer Denise's time of 2:32.64.  Amanda Garber (2:35.00), Katelyn Arouca (2:42.91) and Marissa Donovan (2:44.83) also set season-best marks  in the event.

Justine Douvadjian and Kim Warner set best marks in the 400 meters with Douvadjian and Warner finishing in 1:01.51 and 1:04.51 respectively followed by another PR from Meagan Evans at 1:05.98. 

Katie Pelletier (1:25.02) in the 500 meters, Stephanie Kirk (9.33) in the 55 meter high hurdles, and Joanna Chanaj (1.53 meters) in the high jump were among the many highlights for the Bulldogs.

On the men's side, Saturday saw two school records fall as Tom Casey smashed the previous school mark of 15:27.00 in the 5000 meters with a blistering time of 15:06.79.  Not to be outdone, Alex Engel etched his name in the record books with a new school mark in the 500 meters in 1:05.19, edging the old record of 1:05.79.  

Others setting season bests were John Mitton (1:58.10), Ryan Busby (1:59.67) and Austin Huminski (2:02.91) in the 800 meters.  Drew Clark set a personal best mark in the mile, finishing in 4:23.00) while Mark Kenwood (9:00.29) and Justin Getts (9:08.74) turned in a season-best performances in the men's 3,000 meters.

In the field events, both Chris Brida and Steve Haskell had strong seasonal performances.  Brida cleared 6.35 meters in the men's long jump with Haskell throwing a best mark of 13.86 meters in the men's weight throw.

Next up for the Bulldogs will be the NEC Conference Championships February 21-22.  Bryant will be heading to the conference meet, eligible to compete for the first time in indoor track with several athletes ranked in the top five in the latest NEC performance lists.