Complete ResultsSpringfield, Mass. -- December 4, 2010 -- The Springfield College men's track team opened up its indoor season with four victories in its own 5-Way Meet this afternoon at the SC Field House. The Pride claimed first with 182 points, defeating Westfield State (121), Rhode Island College (109), WPI (101), and Eastern Connecticut State (31).
Several Springfield College competitors had impressive days as there were eight qualifiers for the Division III New England Championships and a pair of NCAA Championships provisional qualifying marks. All told, 25 personal bests were set in the Pride's opening meet of the year.
Senior Nickel Hay (Norwalk, Conn.) won the 55-meters with a time of 6.47 seconds, which provisionally qualified him for the NCAA Championships. Teammate Kevin Coyle (Bradford, N.H.) had a tremendous showing in the long jump, posting a leap of 23-6 3/4. The distance also met NCAA qualifying standards provisionally.
In the 400 meters, senior Chris Quetant (Milford, Conn.) was a winner with a time of 51.19 seconds, while senior Kevin Behlmer (Attleboro, Mass.) placed third in 52.60.
Sophomore James Dang (Burlington, Vt.) placed first in the 800 meters in 2:01.40.
Some of SC's best distance runners who did well during the cross country season also fared well on the day. Senior Troy French (Antrim, N.H.) placed second in the 1000 meters in 2:41.73; senior Stephen Creamer (Seekonk, Mass.) finished second in the mile run in 4:34.70; and sophomore Zach Pietras (Ludlow, Mass.) captured first in the 3000 meter run in 9:02.80, who was followed by sophomore Anthony Salvucci (Burlington, Mass.) in second in 9:04.06.
Freshman David Atkins (Bornoseen, Vt.) placed third in the 55-meter hurdles in 8.28 seconds, which qualified him for New England Division III's .
The SC 4x200 meter relay team took that title with a time of 1:35.15. The foursome included senior Tom Brognano (Rome, N.Y.), junior Kyle Brown (Concord, N.H.), senior Jermaine Bell (Dorchester, Mass.), and junior Matt Krakowski (Lake Katrine, N.Y.).
The SC 4x400 meter relay team placed first with a time of New England Division III qualifying time 3:28.23. That squad included Quetant, freshman Fernando Beltran (Waterford, Vt.), Behlmer, and Hay.
And for good measure the SC 4x800 relay took first in 8:30.37. They were comprised of junior Greg Coleman (Albany, N.Y.), French, Dang, and Creamer.
The Pride finished 1-2 in the high jump with both competitors qualifying for New England Division III's . The order was senior Emil Occhiboi (Brookfield, Conn.) in 6-3 1/4, and freshman Bill Ferguson (Lake Hopatcong, N.Y.) in 6-1 1/4.
SC placed 2-3 in the pole vault. That order was sophomore Brandon Gruver (Auburn, Me.) (12-1 1/2) and freshman Padraic Smith (Niskayuna, N.Y.) (11-1 3/4).
In the shot put, freshman Orlando Harvey (Chicopee, Mass.) placed second with a toss of 45-6 1/4 as he qualified for the the New England Division III Championships. Nick Hogan (Nashua, N.H.) also qualified in the weight throw with a heave of 47-07.75.
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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