Jumbos Brave Blustery Weather at UMass Lowell

(4/9/2012 8:46 AM)

The Jumbos ventured to UMass Lowell this Saturday to compete in the George Davis Invitational. The squad braved blustery April weather but remained focused on the task at hand. This mental toughness allowed the Jumbos to notch off some impressive marks, despite the rough conditions.

Sophomore Ben Wallis got the meet off to a great start, placing 6th in his season-debut 3000m steeplechase. His time of 9:34 betters last year's season opener and highlights the impressive gains he has made in technique. Freshman hurdler Ptah Osayande also showcased huge improvements in technique. He delivered a fourth place finish in the 400m hurdles with a time of 55.93. The time earned Osayande a spot on the all-time Tufts top-10 list, as well as the third fastest time in the NESCAC this season.

Over at Chelmsford High School, the throws contingent kept the momentum going. Despite competing at a location isolated from all other events, the throwers invigorated their teammates through reports of huge PRs. Senior captain Adam Aronson launched a 171’2’’ bomb to place second in the hammer throw. Junior Curtis Yancy placed fifth (153’6’’), while freshman Brian Williamson (142’4’’) and sophomore Youssef Maguid (132’01’’) also set lifetime bests. Williamson and Maguid doubled back in with PRs in the discus.

Back at the track, freshman Evan Cover blew the doors of the 800m. Cover blazed to an 8th place finish in 1:56.74, just .09 short of a coveted spot on the the all-time Tufts top-10 list.

Rounding out the day, a contingent of underclass Jumbos tried their hand at the 5000m. Sophomore Brian McLaughlin ran a PR of 15:15 and placed 4th. His 27-second last 200m kick suggests great things to come in tactical, championship races. Classmates, Bobby McShane (15:17) and Darryl Varney (15:23) also PR’d and placed sixth and seventh, respectively. Freshman Colin McCrory ran a PR of 15:28 for a spot on the freshman top-10 list.

The Jumbos’ gutsy performances in less than ideal conditions promise even better results as the weather begins to warm. Next week, the squad heads to Stonehill where they will battle some of the best teams in the region.