3 Qualifiers, 1 School Record at Bates Pentathlon

(12/8/2007) Full Results

This past weekend the Tufts University Multi Squad traveled north to Lewiston, ME to compete in the Bates Pentathlon. This marks the 2nd straight year that the Tufts pentathletes have competed in the meet. All three collegiate pentathletes came away with personal records and ECAC, as well as regional, qualifying marks. Senior, captain, Nathan Scott set the pace as he reset his school record mark in the event with his score of 3422. Right behind him was classmate Derek Engelking with 3173. Rounding out the Tufts trio was sophomore Trevor Donadt with 3014. Head Coach Ethan Barron and Assistant Coach Kevin Bright also took part in this years competition. Coach Barron edged out Coach Bright by a mere 2 points to take home the coaches competition.

In the first event of the day Scott and Donadt opened up with PR's in the 55H. Each qualified for the New England Championships in the event with their times of 8.20 and 8.09 respectively. Winning the event was Coach Barron with a time of 7.84 seconds, just missing the National Qualifying mark by 0.09 seconds.

Scott followed up his NE qualifying hurdles race with another qualifier in the long jump. His leap of 20-8.5 was good enough for 2nd in the event. As the competitors moved on to the third event, Derek Engelking was looking to turn around his Saturday. Off to a slow start in the 55H and long jump, Engelking PR'd in the shot put with his mark of 38-3. He never looked back. Engelking followed up the shot with solid performances in both the high jump and 1000m to punch in a PR. A national qualifier in the decathlon last year, Engelking should be a strong competitor for the Jumbos this season.

The shot put did not go as smoothly for the other two Jumbos. Scott was forced to take a standing throw after starting the competition with two consecutive fouls. However, each bounced back with respectable performances in the high jump. Scott qualified for the NE Championships in the event with his clearance of 6-2.25, while Donadt's leap of 5-9.75 was good enough for a PR.

Typically, the Jumbos close very well in the final event helping push the pace and ensure that the final event will be a solid point scorer. Although, this weekend was a different story. The opening first lap of 35 definitely took out the possibility of reseting PR's or putting together a race in the low 2:40's. Scott was still able to get under the 2:50 mark clocking in at 2:49.53. Right behind him was Engelking in 2:51.64.

All in all, it was a very successful day for the Jumbos. Setting out from Boston with a goal of returning with three New England qualifiers, they did just that. They even returned home with three PR's, a school record, and four open event qualifiers. Coach Barron and Bright were even able to prove that there is still a little pop left in their legs by eclipsing the 3k mark as well. Look for the Tufts Jumbos and Bates Bobcats to face off again in a few months at the New England Championships. Both schools were able to qualify three athletes for the championships, all over 3,000 points.


Full Results