Need for speed on men's track

With an impressive array of out-of-state opponents flocking to the Gantcher Center this weekend, the men's track meet promises fierce speed, determination and competition.

The Jumbos' previous meets have featured many talented teams and close fought battles. But the difference this week is the large number of schools Tufts has not yet faced this season. Ithaca, St. Lawrence, Keene State, Wheaton and Colby will provide the stiffest competition, according to coach Connie Putnam.

"Our major expectation is that there will be great fields," Putnam said. "And there'll be great competition within these fields."

With each school having strengths in different events, Putnam and assistant coach Ethan Barron are aiming to create the most competitive match ups possible with the Jumbo roster. While the lineup is still a work in progress, there are several potentially exciting and intriguing clashes to look out for.

Sophomore Ray Carre, who won the 400 meter dash last week at Bowdoin in a season-best 50.29 seconds, will likely face off against Wheaton junior captain Erik Benson. Benson, whose season-best 400 time is 48.94, has been named ECAC Track Athlete-of-the-Week twice already this season, including last week. The jack-of-all-trades won the 200 and 600, placed 11th in the shot put, and led Wheaton to victory in the 4x400 relay (3:26.83).

Senior tri-captain Greg Devine is coming off a minor injury sustained during last weekend's 55 hurdles. While he will almost definitely not compete in that event, Putnam will likely use Devine's speed in the 200 and 400. Senior Bryant Coen, who has run in the 400, 600 and 800 this season, is nursing an Achilles injury. He remains doubtful for this weekend.

"[Coen's] conditioning is down, because of the injury," Putnam said. "But Greg [Devine] has been cleared to run, although we'll steer him away from the hurdles."

In the middle distance events, the name to watch out for is Keene State's Mark Miller. Miller, who holds school indoor track records in the 1000, 1500 and 1 mile, as well as in three outdoor events, will race in the 1500 (3:49.8), his dominant race. The Jumbos will likely send sophomore Aaron Kaye (4:11.19) and freshman Kyle Doran (4:11.99) to face Miller.

"Miller is probably one of the two fastest [Division III middle distance] runners in the country," Putnam said. "It should be a fast race."

Keene State, along with St. Lawrence and Colby, is strong in the sprint and hurdle events, creating an interesting scenario with an absent Devine. Fellow senior tri-captain Bryan Pitko, who won the 55 hurdles last weekend, will probably race again in the event.

Wheaton, on the other hand, is loaded with sprinters and jumpers. The Jumbos' jumping squad, particularly in the long and triple jump, will need a powerful performance to match Wheaton. Junior Tyrone McClain (6.82 meters) holds the season's best jump for Wheaton, while sophomore Nate Thompson (6.62) holds the Jumbos' best jump this year.

The distance events will feature what Putnam described as an 'eclectic' group of runners from the visiting teams. Sophomore Nate Brigham (15:14.97) and junior Peter Bromka (15:30.63) will compete in the 5000, while sophomore Michael Don (8:53.64) and junior Jon Rosen (9:01.81) race in the 3000. Senior tri-captain Adam Sharp (2:01.64) will race in the 800 against what should be a highly competitive, tight field.

Putnam is optimistic that the pace of the races will bring out the best in his athletes.

"There are some pretty good athletes coming in," Putnam said. "Fast people make fast times."

The men's track and field team competes this Saturday, Feb. 8 at 11 a.m. at Gantcher Center.