The men's track team scored 271 points and easily outdistanced its four opponents this past weekend for a first-place finish in another low key home meet, the second Tufts Invitiational of the season. The meet afforded the team another opportunity for improvement before facing the difficult portion of its schedule, which begins with a meet at Bowdoin this weekend.
At the Tufts Invitational, the Jumbos faced small schools Hartwick, Worcester State, Salem, and Westfield, none of which provided them with much competition.
" They [the last two weekend meets] have been nice warm-ups, but we haven't faced anyone that's given us a test," junior John McGuire said.
Although the victory did not require a trying effort, several Jumobs had impressive performances. Among the high points of the afternoon was senior David Patterson's first place and national qualifying time of 14:52.37 for B Standards in the 5000 meter run.
Two more Jumbos who qualified for postseason meets were sophomores Greg Devine and Ben Smith. Devine's victory in the 55 hurdles (7.89) was a Div. III nationals qualifying time and also a Div. I New England qualifying time. Smith's win in the 1000 (2:37.37) qualified him for ECAC's.
In addition to the postseason qualifying times, several facility records and career bests were also topped during the meet. Both Patterson and freshmen Stanley Egbor established Gantcher Center records in their races, Patterson in the 5000 and Egbor in the 200 (22.27). Junior Jacob Berman also set a career best, winning the 1500 with a time of 4:09.95.
Another Jumbo whose improvement has impressed his coach and teammates was freshman Patrick Taylor. With a first-place finish in both the long jump (19" 4') and the triple jump (42" 3'), Taylor proved that he will be able to assist his team in an area in which it definitely needs help.
"He's becoming more consistent in the long jump and he's going to be a big help," coach Connie Putnam said.
Considering this past weekend's results and the improving health of his team, Putnam expects Saturday's Polar Bear Invite at Bowdoin to be a close meet. It will feature Tufts, Bowdoin and Springfield. Despite a tight battle during last year's Bowdoin meet (219 overall points for Bowdoin and 201 for Tufts), Putnam feels this year will be even closer.
"This weekend's meet will be more exciting [than last weekend]," he said. "We're going to be nearing full strength for the first time this season."
The Jumbos have been missing several key athletes since the beginning of the indoor season. Sophomore Brian Pitko has been unavailable due to a shoulder injury, McGuire has refrained from racing due to a hamstring injury, and junior Andy Benedict has been out as well.
This weekend, all three hope to return to the line-up, though they will not be running at full strength. Pitko and Benedict will return to the hurdles races and McGuire hopes to ease back into the season and participate in the 1000.
"Pitko's a great athlete and it'll help out a lot to have him back," McGuire said. "As it will to have Benedict back. I'm looking forward to getting back too. My hamstring hasn't raced all year so I just want to get my feel wet."
Though the Jumbos will not all be at full strength, the team will be stronger than it has been all season. Heading into the Polar Bear Invite, Putnam has no specific strategy planned.
"I'll just be setting up the team to the best advantage of our development," the coach said.
While Putnam sees improvement as the main goal for this meet, he and his athletes do feel a certain pressure to win.
"It's important for us to run well," McGuire said. "They're the first school with quality athletes we'll meet. It'll be the first step of the season for us."
