Lange-Vagle School Record Kicks Off 2013

(1/16/2013 11:43 AM) Full Results

The 2013 Tufts Track & Field campaign got underway this weekend with the first of three home meets this winter. Tufts played host to some of the region’s best talent with both Bates College and UMass Lowell in attendance. A short-handed Tufts squad eventually fell short and finished 3rd overall in their first meet of the year, their 99 points bettered by Bates’ 147 and Lowell’s 130.

Still, there were a number of memorable performances from this weekend’s competition. Most notable was Dan Lange Vagle’s first-place finish in the 60m dash. His time of 7.15 improved the Tufts University school record by 0.09 seconds. His teammate and former record holder, senior Vinnie Lee, also advanced but was guilty of a false start in the finals. Look for the pair to be a great 1-2 punch for the Jumbo sprinters this year.

On the runways, a pair of Tufts senior jumpers dominated the action. Captain Brad Nakanishi soared over 15-5 and moved on to take attempts at a school record height of 16-1. Meanwhile, Gbola Ajayi took home a first and second place in the triple and long jumps. Ajayi posted New Enlgand qualifiers of 21-2 and 44-8 from his 5-step approach, leaving one to marvel at what he will be capable of from a full approach later in the season.

On the oval, first-year racer Mitchell Black out-duelled Craig Bennett of UMass Lowell to win the 600m run in a time 1:22.96. It was an impressive debut for the rookie and put him seventh-fastest all time for Tufts. Most of the Jumbo distance squad successfully kicked off the “racing rust” suiting up in their first race since the end of the XC season. Times should plummet as the reacclimate themselves to the indoor track.

Lastly, the Tufts throwers started off strong with a number of PRs this weekend. Granted, not all were pure throwers. In the weight, Andre Figueroa qualified for the New England Championships with a PR of 48-10. Senior captain Curtis Yancy also checked off his qualifier with his opening throw of 52-0.

But in the shot, the Tufts decathletes stole the show, opening up with a new baseline of strength evident through their SP marks. Mike Blair bettered the 40-foot mark for the first time of his life with a heave of 40-3.5, while rookie decathletes Alex Karys (38-1) and Patrick Haneberg (33-7) each had solid openers. Sophomore Allan Yau continued his battle with the event adding another two feet to his PR to bring it to 27-1. Next stop: 30-0.

Next week the Jumbos will keep the momentum building Thursday evening at BU and again Saturday at Bowdoin College in Brunswick, ME.


Full Results