Complete Results
Meet Results

WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ (March 26, 2011) -- The Vassar College men's track team opened its season in the frigid Northeast with a solid performance against 32 colleges with 15 Division I programs in the Annual Monmouth University Season Opener on Saturday.

“These were not ideal conditions but despite the wind and cold, the team rose to the occasion and got off to a good start this season,” said head coach James McCowan. “This performance should give people a sense of what this team is capable of going forward.”

The Brewers next compete in the Princeton Sam Howell Distance Classic on Friday, April 1, and the Ramapo Invitational on Saturday, April 2.

In the 10,000-meter run, sophomore Roni Teich set a personal best in 33.44:18 for fifth place overall.

McCowan was pleased with the 4x100-meter relay team and said, “They were really smooth and nailed steps and handoffs perfectly. That will be a strong relay for us and they will have some big improvements.”

With only one day of track practice under his belt because of the transition from basketball, freshman Abe Gatling led off 4x100-meter relay and went straight into the long jump with hardly any warm-up. Gatling's impressive 6.12-meter long jump puts him within striking distance an ECAC qualification.

Sophomore Sam Wagner finished third overall in the1500-meter run in 4.05.39. “This was a very strong run and he was close to a season best in just his second go at this distance,” said McCowan.

Junior Justin Rupert won his heat in the 1500-meter run in 4:13.39.

Without having competed in the 800-meter run in nearly two years, senior captain Jon Erickson posted his fastest season-opening time in 1:56.68 for second place. “He was boxed out on the first turn but he's a versatile middle distance runner so he made the most of a rough start and took second,” said McCowan.

Wagner took fifth overall in the 800-meter run in 158.15. “Sam was very assertive in this race,” said McCowan.

Junior Zach Williams won his heat handily in 2:00.29. “He ran a smart tactical race,” said McCowan.

In the 5,000-meter run, junior William Healy broke 16 minutes for first time with a time of 15:53.43.

Sophomore Mathue Duhaney came out of the swimming pool to make his track debut with an 11.78 in the 100-yard dash. “It's good to finally have Mathue back and he improved on his opener,” said McCowan. “He's in a good place and we expect a good season.”

The Brewers closed out the day as the 4x400-meter relay team of Williams, Erickson, Wagner, and freshman Alvin Chang posted a 3:32.13.