Jumbos Open Season at Husky Winter Carnival

(12/6/2008) Full Results

With classes coming to a close on Monday afternoon, the Jumbos opened up their 2009 Indoor Track & Field season at the Reggie Lewis Center this past Saturday. The Husky Winter Carnival, hosted by Northeastern University, was a great opportunity to see how the team’s summer and fall training has prepared them for the upcoming season. Furthermore, it was also the premiere meet for most of the class of 2012. With 23 returning lettermen not in uniform this weekend, it still proved to be a great showing and successful meet for the men from Tufts.

As always, the field event athletes kicked off the day’s festivities. This Saturday, it was the weight throw and long jump in the lead off spot. The trio of sophomore hurlers showed excellent progress in a years time. Alex Gresham led the squad with a mark of 43-1.75 while classmate, David Dormon topped all with a shot put of 42-2. Both were huge improvements on their starting points from a year ago.

On the runway, rookie James Wheeler led the Jumbos in the long jump with his leap of 21-2.5. Right on his heels, was the threesome of Ben Crastnopol, Frank DeSalvo, and Montez Paschal. Rounding out the jumpers’ performances was junior Isaiah Paramore. Fresh off one of his best falls of training, Isaiah cleared 6-4 resetting his collegiate PR and qualifying for the ECAC Championships.

Moving from one straightaway to the next, Wheeler (6.82) was joined by a pair of seniors to post good early season marks for the 55m Dash. Colin Fitzgerald (6.80) and Phil Rotella (6.82), both All Conference and All Region sprinters last year, seem to be ready to take a good step forward this year. Sophomore Matt McGrath added his own PR to the pile with his time of 7.22 seconds. Both Rotella (22.95) and Fitzgerald (23.24) would come back to post qualifying marks for the New England Championships in the 200m.

On the oval, it would be a day of many firsts for the Jumbos. Three freshmen would start off their collegiate career with their first track 5k this weekend. Scott McArthur, Erik Antokal, and Quentin Lott each made great strides this fall in XC and look to continue that development on the track. An untimely kick made for a painful final lap for a few racers, but the day still proved to be a good effort for the three distance men.

Continuing with the theme of firsts. This weekend marked Greg Pallotta’s first race back since a foot injury claimed his outdoor season last spring. Rebuilding his base over this XC season, Greg posted an even-split 9:12 in the 3k this weekend. Looking comfortable and strong throughout the race, it was nice to see him donning the Tufts blue once again. Marcelo Norsworthy also returned to the track for the first time since being abroad for the duration of his junior year. Once the rust is dusted off his legs, Marcelo should be a welcomed return to the squad this winter. Norsworthy would return from the 1000m to be joined by the three milers Jason Hanrahan, Corey Melnick, and Jeff Prescott to cap of the meet with the 4x400 relay.

It’s safe to say that the parts are in place for the Jumbo Track & Field team. Whether its acceleration for the sprinters, runways for the jumpers, endurance for the XC crew, or strength for the throwers – the foundation is there. What has been practiced and developed was present, but there is still much left to work on. Hurdlers without rhythm, jumpers without flight, distance without kick, sprinters without endurance – don’t expect this to always be the case for this squad all year. The beauty of track and field is that there is always something to improve on and develop. After this weekend, this year’s Jumbo squad is no different. Back to work.


Full Results