BETHLEHEM, Pa.- Backed by the MU throwing squad and senior Fabrice St. Elme (Rahway, N.J./Rahway), the Monmouth University men's track team wrapped up one of its more successful meets of the season on Saturday at the Greyhound Invitational, hosted by Moravian College.
“The men had their best overall meet of the year,” said head coach Joe Compagni. “It was great to get some additional IC4A and NCAA Regional qualifiers this weekend.”
St. Elme, a senior at Monmouth, took first in the 100m dash, crossing the line in 10.92. St. Elme also finished fifth in the 200, finishing in 22.27 while taking second place in the high jump, clearing 6'8” (qualifying him for the IC4A's). Martin Suarez III (Burlington, N.J./Holy Cross) won the 3000m steeplechase with a time of 9:33.70, while Matt Caporaso (Matawan, N.J./Old Bridge) was fourth, running 9:56.18.
After taking four of the top eight spots in the hammer on the first day, Monmouth's throwers dominated the competition again on Saturday. Hawks took the first five places in the shot put, with Nick Williams (Adamstown, Md./Urbana) setting a new meet record with his throw of 56'4 ? (which also was a NCAA Regional qualifying mark). Kyle Hirschklau (Morristown, N.J./Morristown) finished second on the day with a 50' 6 ?” throw, while sophomore Larry Lundy (Friendsville, Pa./Montrose Area) was third with his toss of 49'7 ?. Christian Keller (Matawan, N.J./Matawan) and Ed Skowronski (Hazlet, N.J./Raritan) took fourth and fifth, with throws of 49'5” and 47'11 ?”, respectively.
The results were even more impressive in the discus, where MU claimed the top six spots. Williams once again set a new meet record on his way to victory with his throw of 171'5”. Keller was second, also beating the previous meet benchmark with a throw of 154'9”. Lundy was third (148'11”), Shawn Sabo (Oakland, N.J./Indian Hills) took fourth (146'9”), Skowronski took fifth (141'8”) and Gerald Lewis (Vineland, N.J./Vineland) claimed sixth, clearing 137'6”.
Tim Raywood (Trenton, N.J./Nottingham) took first in the javelin, setting a new meet mark with his throw of 192' 10”. Bryan Fill (Hasbrook Heights, N.J./Hasbrook Heights) was third with a throw of 178'7” (which also bested the previous meet record) and Monmouth's Matt Mizerek (Morris Plains, N.J./Parsippany Hills) was fifth with his heave of 173'10”.
MU's 4x100 relay team of Jerome St. Bernard (Marham, Ontario/Michael McGivney), Chris Taiwo (Budd Lake, N.J./Mount Olive), Marcus Lewis (Nanuet, N.J./Nanuet) and St. Elme finished in second place with at time of 42.14, which qualified them for the IC4A's).
Rookie Darrin Chandler (Hackensack, N.J./Paramus Catholic) too eighth place in the 400m (50.14), while Bill Doherty () placed fourth in the 800m with a time of 1:55.36. Adam Leibensperger (Zionsville, Pa./Emmaus) and Michael Buccheri (Hazlet, N.J./Raritan) went 7-8 in the 110m hurdles, with times of 16.26 and 16.33, respectively. Derrik Keich (Tamaqua, Pa./Tamaqua Area), Chandler, Leibensperger and David Gaines (Freehold, N.J./Colts Neck) were all part of Monmouth's sixth place 4x400 relay team. Buccheri also placed fifth in the high jump. Lewis' 22'6 ?” leap in the long jump was seventh overall.
MU is back in action on Wednesday when they travel to the east's premier regular season event, the Penn Relays.
