Jumbos Host First of Four With Snowflake Classic

(4/3/2010) See more Photos     Full Results

The Snowflake Classic, annually the home opener for the Tufts Track and Field squad. Sadly there have been too many years when it’s felt like the meet lived up to its namesake. However, this year would not be the case as the Jumbo squad suited up for a meet in the 65 degrees and sun of Medford, MA. The weather, juxtaposed by the fact that it was most athletes first meet of the outdoor campaign, led to a meet of extremes.

On one hand, it’s the first meet of the season and most athletes are focus on development and kicking off the light rust from the indoor season. On the other, it was a gorgeous day just begging for some great marks. In the end, the team came away from the first of four home meets with a slew of qualifiers.

It was obvious from the first event that the Tufts squad was fitter than ever. Junior Chris Brunnquell led all competitors in the 10k as he time trialed to a new PR. Brunnquell led all competitors by over 30 seconds. Sophomore Erik Antokal added his own NESCAC qualifier in his first shot at the event.

Antokal wasn’t the only Tufts racer competing in their event for the first time. A trio of freshman distance runners took their first swing at the 3000m steeplechase, all posting NESCAC Qualifiers. They were joined by junior Brendan Blaney adding his own qualifier, whilesenior Ryan Lena led them all with as we clocked in with a New England qualifier of his own.

On the straight away, a trio of Jumbos qualified for the finals of the 100m. Battling a headwind all day, freshmen Vinnie Lee and Gbola Ajayi were joined by senior Mark Soskin in the finals. Each posted NESCAC qualifiers with Lee adding a mark for the New England Championships as well. Lee would return in the 200m to add another mark for NESCACs. Meanwhile seniors Trevor Donadt and Bobby Bardin took 1st and 3rd in the 110H. For both hurdlers it was their first time back in uniform since the DIII NE England meet in February. Donadt added another 1st place finish in the 400H when he clocked in at 56.52.

The Jumbo long sprinters continued to pick up momentum as a number of quarter milers posted season and lifetime bests. Ben Crastnopol led the way with his 51.26, but hot on his heals was rookie Jeff Prunier with his 52.88.

Some of the most impressive performances of the day came out of the Jumbos freshman class. Curtis Yancy took home the title in the shot put and discus. His mark of 136-3 in the later earned him a spot on the Tufts All Time Top 10 list. His classmate Thiago Lima led the 2nd heat of the 800m wire to wire for a PR of 2:01.06. Look for big things from Lima when he isn’t responsible for towing the entire field.

The PRs were rolling all day as the squad posted 6 PRs in the 1500m. Senior, captain Billy Hale got edged at the line by Amherst Daniel Murner, but was still able to punch home in a time of 4:01.84. Adding their own lifetime bests were Sam Haney, Jason Hanrahan, Jeff Marvel, Jeff Prescott, and Adam Brosh.
Probably the most exciting event of the day was the 4x400m relay. With 6 Tufts teams toeing the line against one another, it was a recipe for guaranteed enjoyment. It was one stud athlete after another in the relay this weekend, with so many event winners. Team’s boasted the SP/DT champion Curtis Yancy, the HJ champion Isaiah Paramore, and PV specialist Sam Read.

In the end, it came down to a head to head match up against a pair of seniors. Billy Hale made up some ground on classmate Dan Stone only to have his stride matched for the final 300m of the leg. At the line, Stone would just edge out Hale. Hale, coming back from the 1500m, clocked in with a lifetime PR of 50.4. Some of the more impressive legs included Stone knocking 2 full seconds off his open 400m and Yancy’s 58.9. Even PV specialist Sam Read clocked in at a respectable 55. Maybe we will be seeing a few more relays with these guys in there in the future.


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