Missing three of its biggest point scorers at last weekend's meet, the men's track team was still able to place second with 111 points at the Conn. College Invitational due to strong performances from younger team members.
With sophomore Greg Devine out because of a hamstring injury, junior J.R Cruz taking the MCATs, and senior co-captain David Patterson absent so he could rest for this week's Penn Relays and NESCAC Championships, the Jumbos were at a clear competitive disadvantage in their final meet of the regular season.
Entering the meet, Putnam was aware that the Jumbos were in for some scoring difficulties, and was pleasantly surprised by the accomplishments of his younger team members. Tufts edged out Westfield State and Bridgewater, much to the credit of freshmen successes.
The 110-meter intermediate hurdles was, as usual, the team's best event of the day. Even without Devine, the Jumbos were able to pick up 21 points, with sophomore Bryan Pitko winning the event (15.39) and junior Andy Benedict and freshman Chinua Thelwell dueling each other to the finish line and taking third and fourth place, respectively (16.25, 16.27).
Freshman Patrick Taylor was the Jumbos' biggest point scorer, winning the long jump for the second time this season. Taylor, who also took second in the triple jump (13.38), has impressed both his coach and teammates with his continuous improvement in the long jump.
"He's been basically having his way in all of these smaller meets," Putnam said.
In the 800 run, sophomores Dan Barry and Bryant Coen were able to take sixth and seventh place (2:00.61, 2:01.10), respectively, picking up five points between them.
Missing Patterson in the 3000 steeplechase, freshmen Peter Jurczynski and Matthew Theodoros were able to garner points for the team, placing sixth and eighth (10:37.07, 10:58.08), respectively. The 5000 run was another event in which Patterson's presence was missed, but freshmen David Hennessey ran a season best (16:02.91) to pick up a point for the team.
"We had good improvement across the younger personnel of our team. I'm very proud of them," Putnam said.
Putnam used a new combination of runners - one which he will most likely use again at NESCACs - in the 1600 relay. Missing Devine, sophomore Sam Dangremond led off, followed by senior co-captain Darren Fabbri, junior Adam Barrer, and Coen. The unit finished first, posting a seasonal best time. While the relay had been problematic for the Jumbos during the indoor season, the squad has shown vast improvements through the outdoor season.
Also on Sunday, Barrer ran for second place in the 400 (50.33), while Fabbri took third place in the 200 (23.19).
While the Jumbos put together a well-rounded effort on the track, they did not fare as well as usual in the field events.
"We were a bit weaker in the field," Putnam said.
Still, it was again the freshmen who impressed the most. While Taylor led the team's scoring effort, freshmen Adrian Clark placed fourth in the pole vault (12'00.00).
With the regular season over, the team moves on to this weekend's NESCAC championships at Wesleyan. The team will send 32 men to Connecticut.
While this weekend marks another opportunity for more men qualify for the regional and national Div. III championships, Putnam will organize his lineup with the strategy of increasing team points, instead of focusing on personal improvement within events.
Placing eighth in last year's NESCAC championships, the Jumbos hope to compete with Bates and Bowdoin for second place this time around. During this year's indoor season, the Jumbos improved to fifth place, but remained unsatisfied with the results.
"I don't think everybody was completely satisfied with where we ended the [indoor] season," junior Ben Smith said.
But the Jumbos have made strong improvements in almost all events throughout the spring season, and enter the NESCACs with a more balanced squad.
"We look to improve with a few more guys who can take the big points this time around," Putnam said.
