ATHENS, Ga.- Monmouth's track and field team wrapped up the second day of the University of Georgia Relays with a new IC4A qualifier and a number of top eight finishes.
Freshman sprinter Chris Rutherford (Toms River, N.J./Toms River East) led the way for the Hawks recording a IC4A time in his first attempt at the outdoor 400m hurdles, finishing third with a time of 53.71. Rutherford also earn the bronze medal in the 110m hurdles after crossing the finish line in 14.96. Senior Chris Vuono (Wall,N.J./CBA) ran a time of 48.98 in the 400m, which earned him fourth place.
Monmouth's 4x400 relay placed fifth with Vuono leading off, Geoff Navarro (Mays Landing, N.J./Absegami) second followed by Rutherford and senior Yasser Barr (Lincroft, N.J./Middletown South). The quartet ran a time of 3:20.80.
The discus found Vincent Elardo (Forked River, N.J./Lacey) taking home seventh place with his toss of 155' 4”. Marion Easley (Somerville, N.J./Somerville) grabbed eighth place in the javelin after registering a throw of 163' 8”, in his first meet of the season.
On the women's side, the distance medley relay team of Laura Embrey (West Long Branch, N.J./Shore Regional), Mary Wilks (Bridgeton, N.J./Bridgeton), Aracelis Lantigua (Elizabeth, N.J./Elizabeth) and Cailin Lynam (Sparta, N.J./Sparta) took fourth place with a time of 12:28.59, which was the second best outdoor time in school history. Wilks also hit an impressive mark in the javelin, earning fourth place with a throw of 131' 8”. Freshman Lindsey Walsh (Mt. Laurel, N.J./Lenape) placed seventh in the high jump and eighth in the 100 hurdles, crossing the tape in 16.83.
The meet featured a number of teams include the host Bulldogs, Kennesaw State, Eastern Illinois, Marquette, Troy, Middle Tennessee State and Tennessee-Chattanooga.
Look for the 2009 NEC Outdoor Coaches Polls to be released early next week. Monmouth will host the 14th Annual Monmouth Season Opener on Friday and Saturday in West Long Branch.
