College Track & Field
Rider at IC4A/ECAC – Day One
Harmon All-East
BOSTON, Mass.— The Rider University men's and women's indoor track and field teams are competing at the IC4A/ECAC Championships this weekend, hosted by Boston University.
“It was really a great day for the men and a tougher day on the women's side,” said head coach Bob Hamer. “We advanced three individuals and a relay to the finals on Sunday for the men and Harmon earned All-East for the women.”
For the Rider women on Saturday at ECACs, senior Taylor Harmon (Robbinsville) earned All-East honors in the high jump with a height of 5'6”, placing seventh with freshman Cleopatra Morrison (Long Branch) finishing ninth in the 60 meter dash (7.67), qualifying for the finals on Sunday.
“Taylor had a great last few weeks,” Hamer said. “She jumped very well at MAACs and then jumped great today. She was clean on her early jumps and that was the key in her getting All-East. This is a great accomplishment for her.”
For the Rider men on Saturday, sophomore Devon Jefferson (Franklin Park/Franklin) was eighth in the semifinals of the 60 meter high hurdles (8.22) to qualify for the finals on Sunday. Jefferson was second in the preliminaries with a time of 8.20 earlier on Saturday.
“Jefferson has been improving each week,” Hamer said. “It was great for him to advance.”
Junior Darien Edwards (South Orange/St. Benedict's) was seventh in the semifinals of the 500 meter run (1:04.08), advancing to the finals on Sunday and sophomore Johnathan Jackson (Roselle/Magnet) was eighth in the 800 meter run (1:51.65), earning a spot in the finals on Sunday.
“Darien got off to a slow start this season due to an injury but he has really been coming along the past few weeks,” Hamer said. “He raced well today. And Jackson, he has great racing instincts and that helped him today to advance. He made one small error but was able to overcome it and make the finals.”
The men's 4x800 relay of freshman Anfernee Joseph (Somerset/Franklin), senior Derek Lake (Middletown, N.Y./Pine Bush), junior Tom McLaughlin (Egg Harbor Township/Egg Harbor) and sophomore Scott Wood (Florence/Holy Cross) finished eighth with a time of 7:39.36 to qualify for the finals on Sunday.
“The men's 4x800 ran great,” Hamer added. “Anfernee put us in a great position leading off; Scott ran great to keep us connected McLaughlin ran a huge race to set up Lake so we were in a qualifying position. They are excited for Sunday.”
Also for the Rider women, senior Emily Ritter (Millsboro, Del./Sussex Tech) was 11th in the mile (4:53.61), missing the finals by .01 of a second and junior Nicolette Mateescu (Kendall Park/South Brunswick) was 19th in the 5000 meter (17:24.10).
Also for the Rider men, sophomore Wil Asamoah (Edison) was 11th in the semifinals of the 60 meter high hurdles (8.25) after placing fifth in the preliminaries of the event (8.21), senior Andrew Pozo (Forked River/Toms River HS South) was 19th in the weight throw with a distance of 54'00.50”, sophomore Lamont Higgins (New Brunswick/St. Joseph HS (Metuchen)) was 21st in the 400 meter dash (49.43) and freshman Christin Patrick (East Orange/Seton Hall Prep.) was 21st in the 60 meter high hurdles with a time of 8.53.
The men's 4x400 relay of Higgins, Edwards, Jackson and freshman Christopher Reubel (Moorestown) was 11th with a time of 3:16.81.
The men's distance medley relay of senior Dylan Hallahan (Wrightstown/Northern Burlington Regional), Asamoah, freshman David Paduani (Egg Harbor Township/Egg Harbor) and senior Anthony Dentino (Sewell/Washington Township) was 13th with a time of 10:06.50.
Competition continues on Sunday.
“I'm excited for the athletes that we have competing on Sunday,” Hamer added.
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