M. track downs local rivals for a key Heps tune-up

With the Heptagonal championships less than two weeks away, the men's track and field team sent a message to defending outdoor champion Penn and defending indoor champ Cornell that Princeton will be the class of the field.

Competing against area schools Rutgers, Manhattan and Iona this weekend, the Tigers recorded some impressive marks, led by senior Josh Ordway's regional qualifying victory in the steeplechase. Despite being one of only two competitors in the 3000-meter race over barriers, with a 44 second margin of victory, Ordway recorded an impressive time of nine minutes, 5.21 seconds, a personal best. Junior Tristan Colangelo qualified for the regional meet in the steeplechase at a previous meet.

"Despite the fact that there was only one other runner in the race, I treated it like a time trial, hammering by myself," Ordway said. "I was very pleased with the result, enjoying a personal record of eight seconds and qualifying for NCAA Regionals."

Sealing the Deal

Princeton's team victory was sealed in the 1500m, as Princeton swept the first four places. Junior Jon Kieliszak took first with a time of 3:53.04, leading his teammates senior Bruce Hancock (3:53.55), freshman Eric Beight (3:53.90) and Colangelo (3:54.14). Kieliszak doubled back in the 800m, placing fourth (1:53.60) in an event won by his teammate, junior Josh Kauke (1:51.56).

Senior captain Cameron Atkinson recorded a sprint double, winning both the 100m with a time of 10.73 seconds and the 200m with a time of 21.56s. Sophomore teammate Dwaine Banton came in a close second in the 100m with a time of 10.85s.

Sophomore Ryan Carpenter and junior Jeff Key finished one and two over a small field in the 400m hurdles with times of 54.44s and 54.75s, respectively.

In addition, sophomore Mike Weishun leaped 2.04m to win the high jump.

As expected, the throwers dominated their events, although some unattached, or independent, competitors challenged the Tigers. In the hammer throw, junior Josh McCaughey was the first collegiate competitor and landed a toss of 60.00m, but he was substantially defeated by former Manhattan all-American Jake Freeman's throw of 66.98m and unattached competitor P. McGratarh's 72.13m.

Junior Matt Stack placed first in the javelin with a throw of 60.15m. Princeton's other spear thrower, junior Tim Releford — an NCAA regional qualifier — rested his arm in preparation for next weekend's prestigious Penn Relays.

"Despite the bad wind for the javelin, the competition was fun," Stack said. "Tim and I are now trying to rest our arms and work on form in time to show up Penn at Heps."

Sophomores Drew Geant (45.11m) and Paul Lyons (43.76m) placed second and third in the discus throw. Lyons captured the shot put with a mark of 17.66m, edging junior teammate Rocky Craley (16.70m).

"The meet was a great chance to make final preparations for Heps in a low pressure environment,." Kauke said. "After the weather we've been having, I think everyone was just happy to get outside."