The track and field team competed at the Rider/Lafayette Invitational at the famous 168th Street Armory in New York City on Friday and the Valentine's Invitational at Boston University Sunday. They once again shined at both meets, adding even more qualifying marks for the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC).
At the Armory, it was the Lions' field athletes that truly excelled. Three of the College's men's weight throwers finished in the top 20. Junior Steve Liccketto threw 14.27 meters ranking him 16th, Zach Goldstein threw 13.88 meters placing him in 18th and sophomore Thomas Conroy's 13.84-meter throw landed him 19th place.
The long jump also proved to be a successful event for freshman Chris Medina with a distance of 6.68 meters.
Sophomore Tim Blashford claimed 15th in the pole vault with a height of 4.20 meters.
Field events for the women's team also proved exemplary. Sophomore Sarah Wehrhan and teammate Cristina D'Amato placed among the top of their Division III peers in weight throwing. Wehrhan tossed 12.86 meters receiving 12th place and D'Amato followed closely behind throwing 12.68 meters, ranking her 14th.
"I feel confident that I am finally becoming consistent with my technique," Wehrhan said. "I know there is a lot of room for improvement and hope that the hard work pays off."
The Armory also contributed to numerous ECAC qualifying marks for the men and womens' relay squads. The men qualified in the men's distance medley (10:17.95) and the men's 4x400 (3.23.79). The women received qualifying marks for three of their relays: the women's distance medley (12:16.79), women's 4x400 (4:05.02) and women's 4x800 (10:07.30).
Sophomore Dennis Waite and junior sprinter Jianna Spadaccini had a terrifc weekend. Waite took first in the mile with a qualifying mark of 4:16.62, and Spadaccini bagged the silver in the 500 meter with a time of 1:15.20.
Freshman Claire Johnson and junior Michelle Wallace also received qualifying marks in the mile.
Lion seniors Pasquale DiGioacchino and Katie Nestor qualified for the ECAC Championships in the 800 meter. DiGioacchino clocked in at 1:56.92 and Nestor ran a 2:18.76.
The 5,000 meter proved noteworthy and qualified three of the Lions for the ECAC, including Sophomore TJ Bocchino, senior Megan Donovan and senior Martine McGrath. McGrath placed 10th overall, receiving an NCAA provisional mark for her time of 17:33.03.
The Lions' grueling schedule continues next Monday at the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Championships held at the Armory.
