Complete ResultsSpringfield, Mass. - January 24, 2009 -- Fueled by sweeping the top-three spots in the 55 meter dash, the Springfield College men's indoor track and field team finished second on Saturday afternoon in a five-way meet. Coast Guard captured the top spot in the meet, finishing eight points ahead of the host Pride.
In the process, Springfield Head Coach Ken Klatka earned the 400th victory of his career. By going 3-1 on the afternoon, Klatka now has a career record of 401-136-2, good for an outstanding .746 winniong percentage.
Final team scores from this afternoon's meet were as follows: Coast Guard 186, Springfield 178, UMass Dartmouth 78, Westfield State 66, Eastern Connecticut State 39.
For the men, Hendrick Jean won the shot put with a toss of 47-05.75, the second farthest amongst Division III competitors in New England this year. Emil Occhiboi also took first in the high jump after he cleared a winning height of 6-01.25.
Springfield was especially impressive in the sprints as the Pride took the top three spots in the 55 meter dash. Steve Headley finished first with a time of 6.45, followed by Jeff Bruno (6.56), and brother Mark Bruno (6.64).
Mike Griffin took first in the 1,000 meters in 2:33.37, while Nickel Hay crossed the finish line first in the 200 meter dash in 23.18. The Pride's 4x400 relay team was also victorious in a time of 3:28.85.
Ken Klatka, just inducted into the Springfield College Athletic Hall of Fame in October, 2011, enters his 37th season as head coach of the men’s track and field program in 2012-2013. He ranks among the nation’s most successful coaches, with an overall record of 442 wins, 144 losses, and two ties for an impressive .753 winning percentage. Under his direction, Kevin Coyle '12 won the 2011 Division III Indoor Long Jump National Championship.
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