Jumbos Ready for 2007 Indoor Season

(12/1/2006)

December has finally arrived, and the Jumbos are ready for the 2007 Indoor Track season. With the distance runners already cruising from their three months of Cross Country, and the sprinters, jumpers, and throwers finishing their three months of conditioning and strength building, the team has nothing but the highest expectations for this winter's campaign. The combination of experienced veterans and a very talented freshman class gives this year's squad tremendous depth, and with it, the goal of winning the Division III New England Championships.

In the distance events, the Jumbos find themselves without 2006 graduates Matt Lacey, Matt Fortin and Kyle Doran. However, seniors Justin Chung, a 2006 NCAA Cross Country Championship competitor, and Josh Kennedy, a 2006 NCAA Championship qualifier in the 5K, look to lead their teammates on the track as they did this fall on the trails and hills. They should be closely followed by fellow senior Chad Uy, junior Dave Sorensen, as well as many members of the classes of sophomore and freshman classes.

The mid-distance events will be just as strong, with senior team captain Nate Cleveland leading his teammates in the long-sprints and short-distance races. Pushing him will be classmate Dan Sullivan, sophomore Marcelo Norsworthy, and a large crop of freshmen.

The sprint and hurdle crew, excited to compete after a summer and fall of conditioning and strength-building. This corps will be led by senior captain David McCleary, fellow senior Dustin Virgilio, sophomores James Bradley and Will Forde. First years Andrew Longley and Ikenna Acholonu look to make significant impacts this season.

In the field events, the team's depth will shine. Triple jumping for Tufts will be 2006 NCAA outdoor champion and captain Fred Jones. 2006 All-American Dan Marcy returns as well. Jones, a senior, also earned All-America honors in the long jump at last winter's NCAA Championships. 2006 NCAA-qualifier Jeremy Arak and sophomore Ted McMahan will lead the high jumpers.

The throwers return seniors Tyler Groff, David Igbalajobi, and junior Joseph Brown. Brown has worked extremely hard in the off-season and looks to make up for the loss of '06 graduate Jason Galvin.

Unfortunately, the Jumbos will be without their school record holder in the pentathlon, Nathan Scott. Nate injured his MCL during the final game of the Tufts football season. In his absence, Fielding Pagel and Derek Engelking will highlight the Tufts multi-event crew.

As the first meet of the Indoor Track season quickly approaches, the crisp fall air of Medford and Somerville is filled with excitement. The Jumbos have a team with exceptional depth, passionate leadership, and amazing talent. The 2007 season looks to be a memorable one.

The season begins this Saturday afternoon at the Husky Winter Carnival at the Reggie Lewis Center hosted by Northeastern University.