By Carley Crain
@carley_crain12
The Springfield College track and field teams competed Saturday afternoon for the first time in 400 days and dominated in their first victory of the outdoor season against the University of Maine Farmington. It had been 724 days since Springfield hosted an outdoor track meet.
The Pride won almost every event they had athletes entered in for both men and women, while also being required to wear face masks at all times. Seniors were also recognized at the end of the meet for their hard work and commitment over the past four years.
“I am so proud that they pulled it all together and made it happen,” said head coach Mike Miller. “To give the seniors one last competition was what really got me to the finish line.”
Field events began the afternoon, where sophomore Jamie Coca dominated and took first place in three events, including the shot put, discus and hammer throw. Sophomore Lily Gould also won all three events on the women’s side. Springfield additionally swept the javelin throw, high jump, triple jump, long jump and pole vault.
The running events began with the 4×100 meter relay, where both the men and women took the win, starting the afternoon on a high note. The meet then moved on to some of the longer running events, including the 5000m and 1500m. On the men’s side, sophomore John Derosa won his first collegiate race with a time of 16:33 and was followed by teammates Ryan Vermette, Liam Murphy and JT McMillen. Senior Rachel Wentick kept a steady lead for the entire 5k and placed first for Springfield in 19:24.
The 1500m was up next and sophomore Aidan Harmer raced for the first time in 2 years, winning with a quick time of 4:15 in his first collegiate race. Also in her first outdoor race for the Pride, sophomore Brenna LaChapelle dominated the women’s 1500, taking first with a time of 5:17.
In the 100 m hurdles, the Pride took the win with senior Emily Laplante and Damian Mackay-Morgan scoring first respectively. Later on in the meet, first-year Allison Ritchie ran a 1:08 to win the 400 meter hurdles. Sophomore Tyler Olds placed second for the Pride in the men’s 400 meter hurdles.
In both the 400 and the 800 meter dash, sophomores continued to stand out in their outdoor debut for the Pride. Jonathon Barber won his first outdoor race in the 400 with a time of 51.08 seconds as well as Emma Raccaro scoring first for the women with her 1:02. Rece Gobel dominated the men’s 800 running a quick 1:56.
All-American Tyler Hanson swept both the 100 and 200 meter dashes, adding two more victories under his belt. Junior Sydney Fackrell and first-year Hope Maher each took wins in the 100 meter dash and the 200, each running 13.03 and 27.17 respectively.
The last running event of the day was the 4×400 meter relay. Both men and women placed first, running times of 3:28 and 4:16.
“The good thing is, we got so much to work on and I think everyone is just getting the rust off,” Miller said. “We had some great performances today.”
The Pride will move on and continue their season as they are set to compete against NEWMAC opponent WPI next weekend at home.
Photo Courtesy of Jack Margaros