With the sun beginning to set on another season for the track season, the Jumbos once again proved why they are one of the most dominant forces in New England.
Throughout the season, the team performed consistently, as evidenced by its top finishes. The team's determined performance earned high praise from coach Ethan Barron.
"It was definitely a great season," Barron said. "I honestly believe that this year could be one of the best years in Tufts track and field history. I think it only happened once or twice in track and field history that the cross country indoor and outdoor team ranked in the top three [in New England]. That's a great feat."
The Jumbos' successful 2006 campaign was capped off on May 13 with the annual New England Div. III Championships, held in Springfield, Mass. Tufts put in another strong performance, finishing second in the pack of 26 with a score of 64.50, well behind first place Williams who dominated with 153 points. Senior tri-captain Matt Lacey highlighted the performance as one of the best of the season.
"It was a great day for anyone and everyone did absolutely awesome," Lacey said. "We got second and nobody expected it. I definitely think it was a great end to the team season."
The performance last weekend capped off what was for many an extremely memorable season.
"We accomplished everything we wanted to," Lacey said. "Everyone performed great throughout the year, and hopefully we'll have a handful of national qualifiers."
The Jumbos' season was characterized by strong performances across the board. Senior Patrick Mahoney's stunning 800-meter run as he beat out four Williams runners to take first place and sophomore Jeremy Arak's first place
finish in the men's high jump at the New England Div. III Championships were two of many high points of the season. Barron was elated with his team's performance.
"Arak did great and actually broke the school record for high jump," Barron said. "He really had a great season. I also think junior Fred Jones stepped up the intensity in the field events."
Senior tri-captain Matt Lacey was equally as proud of his teammates.
"Mahoney's race was incredible," Lacey said. "No one expected [it] and to see what Jeremy did also was crazy. I also think [senior tri-captain] Jason Galvin had a really great season, too."
Galvin was another bright spot to the Jumbos already stellar season. In his last year as a Jumbo, the thrower performed consistently well and proved to be a deserving holder of the captain's title. Galvin's strongest performance came two weeks ago in the NESCAC Championships where he provisionally qualified for Nationals in the men's hammer throw with his first-place finish.
"I definitely have felt really good this year," Galvin said. "I've been moving up the Div. III rankings and I'm provisionally ranked in a few of my events."
While the Jumbos' season was filled with several dazzling performances, the team must now bid farewell to its seniors, including team leaders Lacey, Trevor Williams, and Galvin, who were the captains of this year's squad.
"You cannot replace a Matt Lacey, a Williams, or a Galvin," Barron said. "However, we have no shortage of leaders on our team, and this goes from the top all the way throughout the team."
While the Jumbos wait to see who will emerge as the new leaders of this team, their job isn't completely done this year as certain individuals still have some scores to settle.
As of press time, both Galvin and Jones are primed to qualify for Nationals this season in the hammer throw and the triple jump, respectively, and there's potential for either Arak, or sophomores Chris Kantos and Dan Marcy to join them.
The team will have to wait until next weekend to see if they can build on a strong season with some All-American honors.
