Ryan O'Keefe, Men's Basketball
Talk about making the best of your opportunity. With sophomore standout Brian Kumf out of the starting lineup the last five games with an illness, freshman guard O'Keefe was inserted into the starting lineup, and the team has not missed a beat. In 34 minutes at UMass-Boston on Thursday, O'Keefe had a game high 23 points and three steals in the Jumbos' 78-66 win. The Everett, MA native didn't stop there though.
In Saturday's NESCAC contest at Bates, O'Keefe was a nice complement to Reggie Stovell as he scored 20 points, had four rebounds and four assists in 31 minues in a 78-73 Tufts win. Playing at then 16-5 Bates can be a daunting task for any freshman, but O'Keefe's performance proved he should be a mainstay for the years to come. He also had nine points and two steals in a loss to Keene State earlier in the week.
After his career-best past two games, O'Keefe is averaging 11.8 points, second only to Stovell, and 24 minutes on the season.
Kaleigh Fitzpatrick, Women's Track and Field
With a first place finish in the long jump, second place finishes in the 55 meter dash and the triple jump, and third place finish as a member of the 4x400 relay, Fitzpatrick scored 32 of the Jumbos 192 points to help the team place first among twelve teams at the Tufts Invitational III on Saturday.
Fitzpatrick, a native of Lynnfield, Mass., has been a great addition to the team and is one of members of the outstanding freshmen class that has led the Jumbos all season.
Her 5.07 meter leap in the long jump improved last week at Bowdoin, when she placed first with a 5.04. She also placed first in the triple jump last week, jumping 10.82. Although she only reached 10.72 on Saturday, the effort was enough for second place.
Fitzpatrick's 7.62 seconds in the 55 is her best this winter,and running the 4x400 (4:14.78) is just another demonstration of Fitzpatrick's versatility.
