In the array of colors and uniforms at the 2006 Div. III Men's Track and Field Championship, there will be more brown and blue than ever.
The largest-ever delegation of individual competitors from Tufts is currently in Northfield, Minn. as seniors Matt Fortin and tri-captain Matt Lacey, junior Fred Jones, and sophomores Jeremy Arak and Dan Marcy are preparing for Nationals.
Jones is the most experienced, as his sixth-place finish in the triple jump in his freshman year and his second-place mark in the long jump last season twice earned him All-American status. He is currently ranked seventh nationally in the long jump (7.17 m) and fifth in the triple jump (14.45 m).
Marcy joins Jones in the triple jump. The sophomore qualified in 11th with a mark of 14.27 m and is making his first trip to Nationals.
Fortin, an All-American on last season's DMR squad, is making his first appearance at Nationals in an individual event. He is ranked seventh in the mile run with a time of 4:12.56.
Lacey is the other runner representing Tufts. The senior is a three-time veteran in the outdoor championships, so he is no stranger to national competition, but this will be Lacey's first appearance in the indoor competition. He qualified in tenth for the 5K. (14:41.28).
Arak, who holds the sixth-best high jump mark in the nation, rounds out the Jumbo delegation. His bound of 2.03 m ties him with eight of the thirteen other high-jump entrants.
Halfway across the country, the Jumbos will encounter some familiar competition dressed in purple and gold, as Williams is sending 10 competitors to Nationals. Fortin will face fifth-seeded Williams junior Mike Davidian, who edged him by just 0.93 seconds at the Div. III New England Championships on Feb. 18. Lacey will face senior Neal Holtschulte, winner of the 3k at Div. III New Englands.
