By Madeline Sattler, News Correspondent
The men’s and women’s track and field teams opened their outdoor seasons with an outstanding showing in the Shamrock Invitational with eight top-10 finishes in South Carolina at the Shamrock Invitation March 16 through 18.
Both teams traveled to South Carolina last weekend to compete against runners from all over the country.
“We had an outstanding meet down there,” head coach Sherman Hart said. “I thought it was a great way to open up the outdoor season.”
Sophomore distance runner Eric Jenkins opened up his season with a victory in the 10,000-meter run with a time of 31:23.97. Fellow distance runner, sophomore Brian Doyle also ran the 10,000 meters with Jenkins, finishing eight with a time of 32:49.71. Both runners are coming off successful indoor seasons in which they set school records. Jenkins and Doyle each set a school record in the mile and the 3,000 meters respectively.
“I expected big things out of both of them,” Hart said. “And I continue to expect better things out of both of them for the rest of the season.”
The 4 by 100-meter squad of sprinters senior Darius Valez, sophomore Alex Sharpino, freshman Jared Lane and senior Andrew Staples finished 26th with a time of 44.12 seconds.
In field events, the Huskies also showed some early season promise. Senior thrower Patrick Jablonski took the discus title with a toss of 50.70 meters. Jablonski overcame 61 other throwers and proved himself as an early season threat. The senior also placed fourth in the shot put with a 16.29 meter hurl.
“It’s great that [Jablonski] opened up with a win, but we’re looking for more,” Hart said.
Other standout field performances include senior Andrew Staples who leaped to a second place finish in the long jump. The Rhode Island native jumped 7.31 meters landing him the runner-up spot by just seven centimeters. Sophomore thrower Christopher Reider finished ninth in the javelin throw with a 57.68 meter launch.
The women also had several runners make a splash at the Shamrock Invitational.
“They opened up the way we expected them to open up,” Hart said.
Senior long jumper Nia Howard and junior pole vaulter Jillena Decarteret represented the Huskies in the field finishing second in their respective events. Howard competed in the long jump and managed to hold her ground against 31 other athletes. The senior jumped 5.74 meters. Decarteret tied for second in the pole vault, soaring 3.65 meters.
As part of the Campbell Invitational junior thrower Julia Westover placed fourth in the weight throw. Westover tossed the weight 54.12 meters – the fifth best in Northeastern history and a personal best for the New Hampshire native.
Senior sprinter Saleena Abdur-Rashed also got her outdoor season started on a positive note. The New York native placed second in the 100-meter hurdles in a speedy 14.08 seconds.
“[Saleena] really opened up well,” Hart said. “That’s the best she’s opened up [a season] since she’s been here.”
The Huskies were also represented by three women’s relay teams. The 4 by 200-meter relay team consisted of freshman Jessica Dunnigan, freshman Monet Brathwaite, senior Sarah Trotman and freshman Victoria Alexander. The four combined for a time of 1:42.04 placing them 10th in a field of 32 teams.
The 4 by 100-meter relay team of Alexander, Abdur-Rashed, Trotman and Dunnigan finished sixth with a time of 46.94 seconds.
“They really opened up and opened up being competitive,” Hart said.
The 4 by 400-meter relay team placed 12th. Brathwaite, sophomore Chelsea Hudson, senior Christina Gallagher and sophomore Ashlee Pitts combined to run a quick 3:57.69.
“I just really want to stay aggressive and continue to go after each meet that we go to,” Hart said.
The Huskies and 16 additional schools will take their marks at Solomon Outdoor Track in Dedham for an all-day meet on Saturday, starting at 10 a.m.
