Complete Women's ResultsSpringfield, Mass. - December 11, 2008 - Led by juniors Steve Headley and Nikki Hay, the Springfield College men's and women's track and field teams defeated Westfield State tonight in the school's second-ever indoor meet in its new Field House. It was the first scoring meet, however, as the SC men won by a score of 125-60, while the SC women won by a count of 117-71.
Of the 18 events on the men's side, Springfield had a first-place finisher in 14 of them. Just two meets into the early 2008-2009 season, head coach Ken Klatka couldn't be more pleased with his team. With a handful of athletes quite ahead of schedule, it appears as though this season could be one of great promise for the Pride.
Headley finished first in the 55 meter dash with a time of 6.34, the same time he ran in the qualifying run of the NCAA Championships last winter, which he placed fifth in the country.
Nickel Hay took home a pair of victories, with a run of 23.02 in the 200 meters and a 50.56 in the 400. Steve Creamer finished first in the mile in 4:37.01, while Kevin Behlmer was first in the 600 in 1:26.88. Troy French also had a win in the 800 in 2:44.21.
For the Pride's relay's, Tom Brognano, Chris Quetant, Matt Krakowski, and Hay won the 4x200 in 1:35.56, while Oscar Esposito, Matt Glennon, Brognano, and Brandon Wilbur took first in the 4x400 in 3:31.81. Springfield's 4x800 relay was also victorious in 8:33.18.
Emil Occhiboi won the high jump with a mark of 5-09.75, while Matt Pearson set a personal best of 13-06.25 as he won the pole vault (see photo above). In the long jump, Dylan Brock won with a distance of 22-01.50 , an improvement of 1 1/2 feet since last Saturday's meet.
In the weight throw, Nick Hogan won with a toss of 45-09.00, while Hendrick Jean qualified for New England's with a heave of 46-05.25 in the shot put.
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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