As Weather Worsens, Performances Improve at Northeastern

(4/11/2009) See more Photos     Full Results

With cold and rain on the horizon, it was expected to be a challenging day in Dedham, Mass for the Jumbo track & field team. In the end, it would be a challenge they could overcome. The day began with moderately decent weather, but a forecast for deteriorating conditions. Ironically enough, it would be those athletes competing in the worst of the weather that would show their true competitiveness.

Kicking the day off for the Jumbos would be the pair of 10k runners, Sam Hutchinson and Andrew Bellet. Hutchinson clocked in at a NESCAC qualifying time in his first 10k ever. Bellet nearly matched his PR from last season and qualified for the NE Championships in only his third meet after returning from an injury that kept him from suiting up for the entire indoor season.

From there, the weather began to take hold. Temperatures dropped and the rain intensified. Both short sprints were seriously hindered by a driving head wind. With one athlete running faster 11.70 and 24.00, it was obviously not an ideal day all the sprinters in Dedham.

While the 100/200 runners were plagued with a head wind, the PVers stood ready to take advantage of a favorable tailwind. Yet as the event began, the rains began to fall much harder. Working to keep his poles dry, Jared Engelking was forced to come in at his PR height of 12-6 – a height he would easily clear. After the 9” jump in height, he easily soared over 13-3. Both he and sophomore, Sam Read, took three excellent vaults at 14-0, only limited by the falling rain.

Matt Tirrell continued his stellar return with an even split 2:00 to take 4th in the 800m. While his former high school teammate, Jesse Faller, took first in the 5k. Faller was follow closely by a pair of PRs. Sophomore, Jeff Ragazzini came through the line at 15:26.06 while freshmen, Scott McArthur, was able to add his own PR of 16:08.36.

Guaranteed of his own PR, senior captain, Skip Pagel suited up for the 400IH for the first time ever. His first place finish in 58.58 was the 10th event that he is qualified in for the NESCAC Championships. As Pagel was fighting for his own PR on the track, a duo of Jumbo throwers were adding their own in the circle.

Senior, rookie thrower Chris Delany was able to post a PR in the discus in some of the worst possible weather for his event. His throw of 131-0 was good for 9th on the Tufts All Time lists. Meanwhile, sophomore, Alex Gresham added another nine feet onto his hammer PR with his hurl of 161-4. Gresham now sits at 9th All Time as well and only nine feet away from a national qualifier.

As the day dragged on and teams headed home, the final event of the day would be the men’s HJ. In standard fashion, senior captain James Bradley was the final jumper. With every other team on their way home already, Bradley continued to jump in easily the worst weather of the day. With only his teammates, coaches, and the HJ official looking on, Bradley coasted over 6-6. His day would come to an end after three near misses at a school record height of 6-8 (2.03m).

Bradley’s HJ performance was very indicative of the day as a whole for the Jumbos. Weather aside, if you’ve decided that you’re going to perform well – you will. The Tufts Track & Field teams will head north to Dartmouth College for the Dartmouth Invitational next weekend in their final week to qualify for the post season.


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