College Track and Field
Rider at 140th IC4A/33rd ECAC Championships
Day Two
PRINCETON—The Rider University men's and women's track and field teams are competing Friday-Sunday at Princeton's Weaver Stadium in the 140th IC4A and 33rd Eastern College Athletic Conference Championships.
On Saturday for Rider men at IC4As, junior Johnathan Jackson (Roselle/Magnet) was third in the 800 meter (1:50.88), qualifying for the finals on Sunday and the men's 4x800 relay of freshman Anthony Ardino (Bloomfield), freshman Brook Wilson (York, Pa./Central York), senior Tom McLaughlin (Egg Harbor/Egg Harbor Township) and senior Darien Edwards (South Orange/St. Benedict's) placed fifth with a time of 7:40.04 to qualify for the finals.
“Johnathan ran a very smart race,” said head coach Bob Hamer. “He looked very strong over the last 250 meters and secured a spot in the final. He didn't feel great but the goal was just to get into the final. The men's 4x8 ran well to get to tomorrow's final. We are excited to have another group make the final and compete for medals.”
Edwards was also 16th in the 800 meter (1:52.64) and McLaughlin was 41st in the 800 meter (1:55.39).
For the Bronc women at ECACs on Saturday, junior Daria Chadwick (Summit) placed seventh in the semifinals (14.22) of the 100 hurdles to advance to the finals on Sunday. Chadwick was eighth in the preliminaries of the 100 hurdles with a time of 14.43, advancing to the semifinal race.
“Daria continues to be great in the hurdles,” Hamer said. “She didn't feel great in the trial but raced a very nice semifinal to qualify for the finals. It will be very exciting to watch her compete in such a highly competitive race on Sunday. It's a well-deserved opportunity.”
Senior Stephanie Welte (Philadelphia, Pa./St. Basil's Academy) also advanced to the finals on Sunday with an 11th finish in the preliminaries of the 1500 (4:31.64). Her time the second fastest 1500 time in Rider history.
“Steph ran a great race today,” Hamer said. “She was in great position the entire race and moved up to the near front of race at 800 meters. She closed very well which was the big difference. She has closed well the last month and she will need to close tomorrow in the final. She's very excited at how fast she is running right now and tomorrow brings another opportunity.”
Also for the Bronc men, sophomore Tyree Adams (Hamilton/Hamilton West) was 14th in the long jump with a distance of 6.68 meters, junior Devon Jefferson (Franklin Park/Franklin) was 21st in the 110 meter hurdles with a time of 14.92, sophomore Christin Patrick (East Orange/Seton Hall Prep) placed 29th in the 110 meter hurdles with a time of 15.26, senior Justin Veltri (Mays Landing/Oakcrest) was 30th in the 200 meter (22.47), freshman Dean Clarke (Melbourne, Fla./Eau Gallie) was 36th in the 100 meter dash (11.11) and freshman Alvin Abraham (Egg Harbor/Egg Harbor Township) was 37th in the 400 meter (50.05).
Also for the Rider women, senior Nicole Georgia (Lincoln Park/Boonton) was 24th in the 400 meter hurdles with a time of 1:03.75.
The men's 4x400 relay sophomore Brian Calderaro (Massapequa, N.Y./John F. Kennedy), Abraham, freshman Russell Malko (Whitehouse Station/Hunterdon Central) and freshman Dalin Hackley (Sewell/Washington Township) was 11th with a time of 3:19.83.
The women's 4x100 relay of freshman Tierra Taylor (Browns Mills/Pemberton), freshman Destiny Kearney (Toms River/Toms River HS South), senior Miranda Roberts (Sewell/Washington Twp.) and freshman Morgyn Bennett (Wilmington, Del./Delcastle Tech) placed 13th with a time of 47.83.
The women's 4x800 relay of senior Madeline Hummel (Marlton/Holy Cross), junior Juliann Brand (Egg Harbor/Egg Harbor Township), sophomore Victoria Brewer (Bensalem, Pa./Bensalem) and sophomore Rae Santora (Douglasville, Pa./Daniel Boone) was 13th with a time of 9:25.33.
On Friday, freshman Ashley Berry (Somerset/Franklin) was 20th in the discus with a distance of 39.47 meters and she competes in the shot put on Sunday.
On Sunday, in addition to the finals of the women's 100 hurdles, 1500 and men's 800 and 4x800, the Broncs have athletes competing in the shot put, high jump and triple jump.
“We have many great opportunities tomorrow to compete for big rewards,” Hamer added. “I'm hoping that we do not waste those chances and get out there and bring it on Sunday.”
-RU-
