MORE RECORDS FALL AS TRACK EXCELS AT TUFTS INVITE SATURDAY
February 6, 2010
INDOOR TRACK EXCELS AT TUFTS INVITATIONAL
BOSTON - There must be something about competing in Beantown. The Bryant University men's and women's indoor track and field teams turned in another fine performance Saturday competing at the Tufts University Jumbo Stampede.
After a record-breaking weekend at the BU Invitational a week ago, the Bulldogs set three new indoor marks at Tufts. A week after setting a school record in the 3000 meters which earned her NEC Rookie of the Week, freshman sensation Deirdre Doyle (Carlow, Ireland) not only won the women's 800 meter competition but set a new school record in the process. Doyle placed first with a very quick time of 2 minutes, 19.88 seconds, smashing the seven-year-old record of 2:23.59 held by Paula Klepladlo in 2003. Her time is also the sixth-fastest in the Northeast Conference this season.
Teamate Amanda Dilley (Melbourne, Fla. / Coyle Cassidy) established a new school indoor record in the 55 meter hurdles. The freshman qualified for the finals of the 55m hurdles with a third-place finish in her heat in a time of 9.23 seconds, just shy of Stephanie Kirk's 2008 record of 9.22 seconds. But in the finals, Dilley made sure the record was all her own with a great finish in 9.18 seconds, good enough for fourth overall.
The high level of performing among the freshmen continued in the 1000 meters where Bulldog Megan Robertson (Sewell, N.J.) got into the fun with an electrifying run of 3:09.98 to place seventh in the event and breaking former standout Jen Goodwin's indoor school record of 3:14.90 set back in 2003.
Dilley wasn't through as she would add a solid third-place finish in the 200 meters in 28.14 while Sherika Nicholas (East Patchogue, N.Y.) placed ninth in the women's 400 meters in 1:03.65.
In the field events, Bryant's Laura Weeks (South Easton, Mass.) had a great day in the women's high jump. The freshman equaled her personal-best by clearing 5 feet, 1 inch (1.55 meters) to place third. Teammate Joanna Chanaj (Peabody, Mass.) was fourth, also clearing 1.55 meters while Melanie Farbotko (Brookline, N.H.) took home seventh (1.50 meters).
In the long jump, Rhode Island native Amy Hutchinson (Exeter, R.I.) placed third in her heat (sixth overall) with a best jump of 4.77 meters.
Not to be outdone, the men's also had some fine performances as well.
Thomas O'Connor (Westwood, Mass.) continues to have a stellar indoor season this winter and Saturday was no different. The junior captured first place honors in the men's 200 meters with a time of 22.99 seconds and later followed with a second-place finish in the 400 meters in 51.24 seconds. Teammate Joseph Pugliano (West Springfield, Mass.) was sixth in the 400m in 52.30.
Junior Mike DiBella (Upper Saddle River, N.J.) took home another first for the Bulldogs, winning the 600 meters in 1:23.65 while sophomore Ryan Busby (Derry, N.H.) was third overall in the 800 meters (2:00.93).
John Mitton (North Reading, Mass.) turned in Bryant's best performance in the 1000 meters this season, as the sophomore finished fourth in his heat (5th overall) with a time of 2:35.95. Scott Twardowski (Rehoboth, Mass.) was sixth in his heat (8th) in 2:35.95.
In the 55 meter hurdles, Anthony Monteiro (Leominster, Mass.) placed fifth in a time of 8.22 seconds.
In the field events, Chris Brida (Southampton, Mass.) had two solid performances on the day. The sophomore placed fourth in the men's long jump with a best jump of the day at 6.34 meters, but followed with a great effort in the triple jump, clearing 45 feet, 7.52 inches (13.90 meters), equaling his best of the season, and earning second-place honors in the event.
The Bulldogs will continue its tour of Boston events this weekend when the team's take part in the annual Boston University Valentine's Day Invitational. The women will compete Friday with the men hitting the track on Saturday.
The Valentine's Meet will serve as the final tune-up before the Northeast Conference Indoor Track & Field Championships take place Feb. 19-21 in Maryland.
