Solid Marks to Start 2012 at Dartmouth

(1/9/2012 9:58 AM) Full Results

With only 10 athletes suiting up for the 2012 Dartmouth Relays, the Tufts Track and Field squad finished 4th overall at this weekend’s competition. With the entire spint and distance squads out of action, the field athletes carried the load. Host Dartmouth won the meet with 67 points. Close behind was Division II UMass Lowell with 60 points. Sherbrooke accumulated 43.5 points to take third, followed by the Jumbos in fourth with 23 points. Boston College rounded out the top five with 16 points.

Junior Brad Nakanishi led the way for the Jumbos with his victory in the pole vault. He cleared 15-5.75 (4.72m) and had good attempts at 16-0 which would have likely punched his ticket to the 2012 National Championships. Also faring well in the vault was sophomore Trevor Rothaus, who cleared the bar at 14-6 (4.42m), good enough for a new PR and seventh place in the event. Currently the two athletes sit at 2nd and 10th in the nation, respectively in this young season.

In the long jump, junior Gbola Ajayi notched a runner-up performance with his leap of 21-11.75 (6.70m). Decathlete/high jumper Mike Blair added a PR in the long jump with his mark of 20-8 (6.30m). Additionally, First-year Brian Williamson recorded a stellar performance. He placed fifth in the shot put with his toss 48-1.25 (14.66m).

Also notching a top-five finish was senior co-captain Adam Aronson, who tossed the weight 46-9 (14.25m). Junior Curtis Yancy finished right behind Aronson in the weight throw with his toss of 46-7.5 (14.21m). These impressive performances led the short-handed Jumbos to a solid fourth-place showing. The Tufts athletes also were able shake off the rust from the one-month hiatus from competition.

The sprinters and distance runners return to action next weekend as the Jumbos host their first of three indoor invitationals. It will be a great opportunity for the Tufts squad to continue their momentum of 2011. Needless to say, it will be a welcomed sight to see the entire team reunited back in Medford.


Full Results