PRINCETON, N.J.-  Monmouth's men's track team opened the season at the Princeton New Year Invitational on Saturday, with the Hawk freshman putting forth some impressive performances.

Rookie Kevin Merrigan (Marlton, N.J./Cherokee) tallied a first place finish in his first collegiate meet, taking home the gold in the 300m with a new freshman record of 35.24.  Monmouth's Vincent Elardo (Forked River, N.J./Lacey) turned in a IC4A qualifying mark of 53' 5 ?”, which was good enough for second place in the shot put.  Junior Ch Chris Taiwo (Budd Lake, N.J./Mt. Olive) also his a IC4A qualifying mark with his time of 6.98 in the 60m, which was fifth place overall.

A pair of rookie pole vaulters set the new school freshman record by clearing 14' 7”.  Freshmen Peter Matano (Long Branch, N.J./Long Branch) and Jason Timmons (Latrobe, Pa./Greater Latrobe) now share the MU freshman pole vaulting record with their fourth place performance.

Junior Larry Lundy (Friendsville, Pa./Montrose Area) qualified for the IC4As with his shot put throw of 51' 6 ?” which was fifth overall.  In the weight throw,  Shawn Sabo (Oakland, N.J./Indian Hills) tossed a mark of 52' 6 ?” which was also fifth.  Freshman sprinter Chris Rutherford (Toms River, N.J./Toms River East) ran a time of 8.32 in the 60m hurdles, which was good enough for fifth overall.

Freshman Jeff Navarro (Mays Landing, N.J./Absegami) was sixth in the 60m with a time of 7.08 while Vincent Improta (Staten Island, N.Y./Staten Island Tech) placed sixth in the mile.

Competing unattached were seniors Chris Vuono (Wall, N.J./CBA) and Chris Keller (Matawan, N.J./Matawan) who secured third place finishes.  Vuono and Keller each have outdoor eligibility left.

A select group of athletes will compete next Friday and Saturday at Fordham and Manhattan.