NCAA Qualifiers and School Record at Hillside Relays Evening Distance Carnival

(4/8/2005)

This evening produced some of the best early season racing in the history of New England track and field. Under beautifully clear skies and with perfect low 50 degree temperatures, some of the best distance runners in New England descended upon the Clarence "Ding" Dussault track and field complex for the first time in five years to compete in the 3000 m steeple, the 5000 m and the 10000 m. Just looking at the performance lists, everyone knew the men's 5K was going to be the "hot" race of the evening. And the gods smiled on the event, because with perfectly still winds, clear skies and cool temperatures, a race unfolded that made the hearts and souls of every spectator at the event pulse with the excitement of the event.

Twenty eight athletes lined up shoulder to shoulder, anticipating the opportunity to record a fast early season time. Unattached Mark Miller (formerly Keene State) took the early lead, and a lead pack of Miller, Chris Kapfer (UMass Lowell), Dave Bridgewater (Keene), Pat Morasse (Lowell), and our own Nate Brigham and Matt Lacey quickly formed, going through the first mile at a blistering pace. Having not raced on the track in nearly a year, Miller began to fade after about a mile and Kapfer took over the work, leading the pack through 3K in around 8:45. Kapfer dropped out after 3K, having started the race as a rabbit for Pat Morasse. At this point, Lacey took over and really started to hammer the third mile, picking up the pace bit by bit. It quickly became a two man race between Lacey and Brigham, swapping the lead several times over the last 800 meters. The race ended with Brigham crossing the line in 14:31.39, followed by Lacey at 14:34.04, Bridgewater at 14:40.71, Miller at 14:56.06 and Tufts' Matt Fortin in fifth at 15:00.20. Lacey and Brigham currently hold the two fastest times in the nation at 5000 meters, and Brigham set the school record by nearly 20 seconds. Finishing fourth for the Jumbos was senior Mike Don, whose time of 15:15.05 might have won most outdoor meets. This performance was a personal best, as were the times of Neil Orfield, Justin Chung, and Brendan McNeish. In all, seven Jumbos "PRed" in the race.

Another outstanding performance this evening was recorded by Anna King of Colby, who took the lead in the women's 5K from the start and finished in 17:58.35, beating the field by 1:06 all by herself. Other highlights of the evening were two sub 10:00 performances in the 3K steeple from Ryan Gough (Keene, 9:38.84) and Josh Kennedy (Tufts, 9:41.50), and a 31:23.49 victory in the men's 10K by John Nieskens of Holy Cross. The womens 3K steeple was won by Kathryn Moore of Bates in 11:28.17, followed by Tufts own Katie O'Brien in 11:45.66. Finally, the women's 10K was won by unattached Christina Semeritis in 36:57.19, followed by Colby's Karina Johnson in 37:08.85.

Overall, the evening distance carnival was an extraordinary success, marked by a superb performance in the men's 5000 meter run. We hope that this event becomes a destination for New England's finest distance runners in the years to come. Tommorrow morning we will continue with competition in every event shorter than the 3K steeple.