Record performances highlight IC4A and ECAC

By Shanna O’Mara

The track and field teams competed at the IC4A and ECAC Championships on March 5 and 6, bringing home two All-East titles as well as a multitude of personal and university records.

The men’s team finished tied for 23rd out of 42 schools that competed in the three-day event at Boston University.

Junior Johnathan Jackson placed third in the 1000-meter race on day one with a personal-record time of 2:26.05, qualifying for the finals. There, he ran a Rider-record time of 2:24.51, earning All-East honors.

Senior Darien Edwards placed sixth in the finals of the 500-meter in 1:02.93 and was named All-East, breaking a Rider record in the preliminaries, only to break it again by .05 seconds the following day.

Head Coach Bob Hamer was proud of Edwards’ and Jackson’s accomplishments and said that it was one of the “great highlights this weekend.”

Hamer said their performances at the ECACs were the best of this season.

“Edwards and Jackson being named All-East is a great accomplishment for each of them,” Hamer said. “They were able to repeat from last year which is very nice to see. Darien was able to get the school record that has eluded him for so long.  Jackson ran a tremendous race that was really necessary for him. He struggled a bit at the MAAC Championships and it was nice to see him rebound and have a great meet.”

Junior Devon Jefferson qualified for the finals in the 60-meter hurdles with a personal-record time of 8.13, finishing eighth.

Sophomore Alexandra Santora, senior Nicole Georgia, senior Madeline Hummel and senior Stephanie Welte finished 14th in the distance medley relay in 11:57.39.

Freshman Ashley Berry earned the 17th spot in the shot put with a distance of 42’4.25”. Senior Charles Wilkes placed 25th in the shot put, throwing 46’11.50”. Senior Olivia Rosenberger covered a distance of 37’8” in the triple jump, placing 15th.

After a fall early in the race, senior Nicolette Mateescu finished the 5000-meter in 17:19.39. Welte achieved a personal record in the mile, placing 16th in 4:57.81, and sophomore Karoline Sandvig was 23rd in the weight throw with a distance of 50’7.5”.

The men’s 4×800 relay of freshman Dalin Hackley, junior Scott Wood, senior Tom McLaughlin and freshman Brook Wilson placed 10th in 7:40.51.

The men’s 4×400 relay of Jefferson, freshman Alvin Abraham, freshman Russell Malko and sophomore Brian Calderaro earned the 18th spot with a time of 3:24.76.

Sophomore Tyree Adams finished ninth in the long jump (22’7”), sophomore Christin Patrick placed 24th in the 60-meter hurdle quarterfinals in 8.42, and Abraham ran a 49.19 in the 400-meter, finishing 26th.

Despite some team members not placing at the meet, such as seniors Daria Chadwick and Miranda Roberts, Hamer noted that the team had success this season and noted how much they’ve grown during the year.

At the MAAC Championships, Chadwick won the high jump with a height of 5’7”, qualifying for ECACs. She also placed third in 60-meter hurdles. Roberts placed third in the pole vault, clearing 11’3.75”.

“Miranda had a great year in the vault and Chadwick had a great season as well,” Hamer said. “It was nice to see them develop not only into better athletes this year but also better leaders.

“We are looking to carry this momentum forward into the outdoor season.”