The men's track and field team can finally put a stamp on the preparation portion of its season and look forward to the championship races that lie ahead.
With three months of training under their belts, the Jumbos rounded out their regular season schedule this weekend, participating as a split squad in the Valentine Invitational at Boston University and the MIT Invitational.
With schools from all three divisions competing at BU, coach Ethan Barron sent most of his runners to the Valentine Invitational to prepare them for the impending championship meets.
The short-distance sprinters led the way at BU, including senior tri-captain Dave McCleary, who finished 38th in the 55-meter hurdles, freshman Andrew Longley, who finished 41st in the 200-meter dash, and sophomore James Bradley, who placed 19th in the 500-meter dash.
"I think we did pretty well," senior tri-captain Nate Cleveland said. "We did really well in the short sprints, but our middle sprints weren't the best. However, a lot of guys got the qualification they needed."
With Div. I schools, such as Harvard, Boston College, University of Connecticut and Army participating in the meet, Tufts couldn't help but take advantage of the opportunity to race against better squads.
"Racing against Div. I schools was very helpful," Cleveland said. "They bring a lot of quality, and having that higher quality really sets the pace and level of competition a lot higher. But all the Div. III schools performed really well, too."
While the majority of the runners were at BU, most of the throwers and jumpers competed across town at MIT. Junior Jeremy Arak led this crew, finishing first in the high jump. Senior tri-captain Fred Jones, who placed first in the long jump and triple jump, and junior Joe Brown, who finished first in the weight throw, complemented Arak's performance.
"It was a solid day all around for us," McCleary said. "We had a bunch of guys PR, and things are starting to stack up pretty well for us."
As the Jumbos look ahead to next weekend's New England Div. III Championships at Bates, the team is confident that it can come out of the competition with a first-place banner.
"We are definitely capable of a top three finish, even first," Cleveland said. "We just need a good week of practice. Right now, we are rounding out into our peak form."
Still, all of the physical preparation might not prepare the Jumbos for everything that lies ahead.
"For me, it's a chance to step up and get everyone inspired," McCleary added. "I like trying to raise team morale, and team support is a very important aspect of track and field. I will definitely be sending emails throughout the week trying to get people excited."
The Jumbos are going to need strong performances from all members of the team, however, including the freshmen, who will be entering the first pressure-filled championship season of their Tufts careers.
"Coach and all of us players are really confident in them," McCleary said. "They have been performing at their top level all season, and they have just kept on impressing us. They know what they are doing and we know they will do well this weekend."
"They have never given me any reason to worry," Cleveland said. "They are critical to our success."
On the other hand, this will be the last indoor championship season for 14 Jumbos who, as seniors, will hope to make a final impression against their New England counterparts at Bates on Friday and Saturday.
