For the first time this season, the track and field team competed at home as it hosted the New Jersey Invitational. Taking comfort in the home-track advantage, the Lions had two NCAA provisional marks as well as a school record.
The men's 4x1,500-meter relay team set the school record. Freshman TJ Bocchino, freshman Dennie Waite, senior Galen Johnson and senior Josh Krowicki broke the previous record by eight seconds in a time of 16:44.28. The team placed second overall.
The men also took three of the top four spots in the 400-meter hurdles. Freshman Kyle Gilroy (second place, 55.41 seconds), sophomore Al Wonesh (third place, 55.66) and junior Otto Katt (fourth place, 56.79 seconds) all ran Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) standards in the event.
Junior Pasquale DiGioacchino was an additional ECAC qualifier. DiGioacchino won the 800-meter in 1:55.95. Senior Brian Kopnicki also captured gold in the 5,000-meter run, winning the race in 15:32.45 for another ECAC mark.
"The team went out, raced hard, and it showed," DiGioacchino said. "We had a lot of high finishers, which is encouraging because it proves everyone is competing well."
Sophomore Steve Liccketto placed in three field events. He was second in the shot put (14.47 meters), third in the hammer throw (39.42 meters) and fifth in the discus (40.45 meters).
The women's 4x400 relay team ran an NCAA provisional time. Senior Jessica Bonelli, freshman Rochelle Prevard, sophomore Jianna Spadaccini and freshman Meryl Wimberly captured the victory, clocking a time of 3:51.44.
Spadaccini won the 800-meter in 2:18.15 while Bonelli was fourth in the 400-meter with 58.05 seconds. Both runners qualified for the ECAC Championships.
Junior Kristen Tricocci also had an NCAA provisional mark. Jumping 5.62 meters, Tricocci leaped her way to a first-place victory.
In the 100-meter high hurdles, sophomore Priscilla Senyah was an ECAC qualifier. Senyah finished in third place and ran a time of 15.27 seconds. Senior Lauren Pfeifer met an ECAC-qualifying height in the pole vault and placed third, clearing 3.25 meters.
As for the field events, sophomore Ashley Krauss had a toss of 40.30 meters and placed third in the hammer throw.
The fans seemed to contribute to the team's solid performances this week.
"I love coming down the straightaway and hearing people screaming for me," DiGioacchino said.
The College community has a chance to show its support for the track and field team as it competes at home again on April 25 and 26.
