Track competes at A-10 Champs

By Anthony Medoro
Collegian Staff
February 20, 2008

Six first place finishes allowed the Explorer men’s track and field team to capture third overall at the Atlantic 10 Championships on Saturday, held at the University of Rhode Island. Charlotte and Rhode Island were the two teams that finished ahead of the Explorers.

Seniors Sean Quigley and Joe Fedorowicz set the pace for the Blue and Gold by securing two individual first place finishes and anchoring the distance medley relay team to a first-place victory as well.

Fedorowicz was able take first in the 1,000 meter run with a time of 2:28.24. Two events later, Quigley raced to a first place finish in the 5,000 meter run in 13:52.66. Then the distance medley relay squad, comprised of juniors Korey Edwards, junior Stephen O’Donnell, Fedorowicz and Quigley, also grabbed first place, clocking in at 10:12.45. Edwards also finished second in the 800 meter run with a time of 1:55.72.

Joe Dare won the 3,000 meter run when he finished in 8:28.37, and junior Steve Rendall also recorded a first-place finish in the 55 meter hurdles with a time of 7.56. Rendall also helped the 4x400 meter relay team capture the title in 3:20.35; the other runners included junior Jared Davis, sophomore Andrew Maxwell, and senior James Tchabo.

“Charlotte and Rhode Island have great programs,” head coach Charles Torpey said. “I mean our goal is always to win. But it was a great meet for the small size of our team. Dare and Rendall had great wins.”

Seniors David Alfano and Adam Woodford recorded a couple of second place finishes on Saturday. Alfano placed second in the mile in 4:15.65, and Woodford took second in the triple jump, leaping 15.45 meters.

The Explorer ladies were led by a trio of strong senior performances at the A-10 Championships on Saturday.

Seniors Carolyn Lipovsky, Rachel Papin and Christa Plummer all captured first place finishes which enabled the Blue and Gold to take fifth overall. Lipovsky won the 1,000 meter race with a time of 2:55.14. She was also able to place second in the mile run at 4:52.33.

Papin secured the 5,000 meter title with a personal best time of 16:32.14. She also helped the distance medley relay team win first place, clocking in at 12:05.44. Papin anchored the squad, which also included freshman Kathleen Boland, junior Meaghan Hobson and sophomore Kellilyn Fierras.

“We have a good amount of depth on the relay teams for both the men and women, which helps a lot,” Torpey said.

Senior Christa Plummer darted past the competition in the 3,000 meter race nearly eight seconds in front of the second place finisher with her personal best time of 9:47.76.

“Plummer and Lapovsky have never won those events,” Torpey said. “That was great for them. I think we reached our goal with the three first place finishes. The girls have set a lot of conference records this year.”

Senior Adriana Boyle also sprinted to a personal best 2:17.93 in the 800 meter run. This was good enough to take second in the event. The University of Charlotte also took the women’s title. They were followed by Dayton, Rhode Island and Richmond.

The Explorers have this weekend off. Their next event is the Fast Track Invitational, held at New York University on Feb. 29 at The Armory.

medoraa1@lasalle.edu