Worcester State Men’s & Women’s Track & Field Compete at All New England Championships

BOSTON – The Worcester State University men's and women's track team competed in the cross-divisional New England Indoor Track & Field Championships this Saturday (Feb. 25) at the Reggie Lewis Track and Athletic Center.

The men's team placed 14^th at the meet as senior Sam Weeks (Methuen, Mass.) led the squad in the scoring. Weeks placed second in the shot put with a PR throw of 16.26m to move up to 17^th in all of NCAA Division III. He also placed 4^th in the weight throw at 17.55m and currently stands at 5^th nationally, while teammate Marcus Vieira (Peabody, Mass.) sits at 9^th.

"It is amazing how he responds to the pressure week to week," commented head coach Al Halper. "Scoring in two events against competition from all three divisions at this important meet is truly a huge accomplishment. He represents our team with pride and is the epitome of what it means to be an accomplished student-athlete."

Also competing in the throwing events were Eddy Acuna (Newton, Mass.), Jacob Roumanos (Whitman, Mass.), and Anthony Christo (Peabody, Mass.). Acuna and Roumanos came in 10^th (14.51m) and 17^th (13.74) places, respectively, in the shot put, while Christo marked 15^th place in the weight throw (15.77m).

"Eddy has been a steady force in the event for the Lancers all season long," said Halper. "He has played an important part in our success the entire season. He has done this despite having a wrist issue that has limited him somewhat recently. Regardless, his future is bright and he will be a strong factor for us in his outdoor events too."

Marc George (Framingham, Mass.) led the team in the track events as he came in 7^th in the 500 Meter Dash in a time of 1:05.77. Marques Johnson (W. Hartford, Conn.) came in 18^th in the same event (1:08.70). Jalil Gibson (Lynn, Mass.) came in 16^th in the 60 Meter Dash (7.14).

"Not only did Marc reset his own 500M record this weekend, but he also ran the last leg of the 4x400M relay that led to a season best time," said Halper. He has been the anchor for the relay all season. The team has grown to rely on him in the relay and in his individual events. He has stepped up to be a leader by example."

In the distance events, sophomore Joseph Grider (Hopedale, Mass.) came in 20^th in the 1000 Meter Run (2:36.00), while Devin Luce (Milford, Mass.) competed in the mile run and came in a time of 4:36.66.

The men took a 14^th place finish in the 4x800 Meter Run (8:16.12), a 19^th place in the 4x400 Meter Relay (3:26.65), and 12^th place in the Distance Medley (10:53.49).

Scott Page (Baldwinville, Mass.) took part in the pole vault.

Also qualifying for All New England's, but were unable to take part for various reasons, were Vieira (weight throw), Markeish Harmon (long jump), Edward Boamah (long jump and 400M), and Christian Cedullo (500M).

On the women's side, junior co-captain Abigail Danso (Worcester, Mass.) marked a 21^st place finish in the 60 Meter Hurdles in a time of 9.21. A group also competed in the 4x800 Meter Relay and completed the relay in a time of 10:22.88.

The Lancers have one more shot at qualifying their athletes into the NCAA Championships next weekend as they travel to Tufts University for the Tufts Last Chance Meet.