Broncs set records in tune-up for MAACs
By Victoria Lyons
The Rider track and field team traveled to The Armory in New York City last Friday to co-host a meet with Lafayette, and the Broncs delivered record-setting accomplishments, setting the tone for the big weekend that lies ahead.
The MAAC Indoor Championships take place today, also at The Armory at 5 p.m.
Sophomores Greg Wesh and Dave Brown put together IC4A qualifying performances, and three Rider records were broken by Wesh, junior Kristen Perrine and senior Chelsea Callan.
“We had a lot of really good performances,” said head coach Bob Hamer. “We were hoping to get one last opportunity to improve our seed times and distances for the MAAC Championships and we had a lot of success in doing that.”
Both the men and women have shown what they are able to accomplish, with many qualifying for the IC4As as well as breaking school records.
The MAAC Indoor Championships will demonstrate the hard work the athletes have put in throughout the season.
“I don’t really know what our end result will be, but I know that we are prepared and ready to compete at the highest level that we can,” Hamer said.
He was more than pleased with the record-breaking day last weekend.
“Breaking the records was great for each of them,” Hamer said. “They all work very hard and it is always nice to see the athletes get rewarded for their efforts.”
For the Rider men, Wesh won the 800-meter with an IC4A qualifying time of 1:52.51, breaking the old school record set in 2007.
“Greg has been competing at a very high level since last spring,” said Hamer.
Brown was the other IC4A qualifier, placing fifth in the 500-meter, earning a time of 1:05.00.
In addition, sophomore Jorge Merino received second place in the shot put, throwing 15.57 meters and sophomore Tyree Leonard finished fifth in the high jump with a height of 1.89 meters.
For the Rider women, sophomore Mia Riley won the 60-meter in 7.92. Perrine broke the Rider record in the 800-meter she set two years ago, finishing third with a time of 2:17.39. Callan placed third in the mile in 5:01.61, breaking the school record she set last season.
Additionally, sophomore Ashley Hunter finished fourth in the 500-meter with a time of 1:17.54, while senior Shaylah Counts placed fourth in the 60-meter, finishing with a time of 8.10.
