Spartans Thrive at Ivy League
After seeing success at the Wesleyan Invitational just a week ago,
the Track & Field Spartans marched into the Harvard Open, at
Harvard University, with high spirits, confidence, and ample drive
to win and run fast times. The Spartans had a repeat of
success at Harvard, highlighted by junior Chris Muniz's personal
best of 49.71 in the 400-meter dash.
On the women's side, Jeanette Gibson competed in shot put.
Using the new spin technique, Gibson had 3 solid throws-1 foul-and
ended her set with a season personal best of 10.16 meters placing
6th overall.
In the mile run, freshman Chelsea Klinger led the
Spartans, followed by classmate Lisa Brevogel and junior
Amanda Szorentini. Klinger was able to put herself in the
race from the start with a more aggressive racing style, which
resulted in another personal best time of 6:14.88 placing her 23rd
out of a competitive field of 28. Brevogel and Szorentini
powered through the finish line running times of 6:44.62 and
6:47.32 respectively.
Freshman Sarah Callagy raced the gutsiest race of the day in the
women's 3000 meter. Callagy came through the mile in a
blistering 6:01 amongst the lead pack. Although she
slowed down a bit, she ran a solid time of 11:56.73 placing her
12th.
In the men's mile, juniors Einar Brissing and Vinny Modaferri
put on a show for the audience. Brissing remained in the
middle of the field for nearly the whole race with teammate,
Modaferri, closely following. Brissing's trademark kick with
600 meters to go separated him from the latter half of the race and
into 6th place in a field of 52 runners with another personal best
of 4:26.97. Modaferri clocked a time of 4:40.50 coming in
21st with another season personal best for the Spartans.
Muniz stole the show in the open 400-meter dash . The
400-meter field had to begin the race sans starting blocks which
typically provide grip for a better start. Despite
the handicap, Muniz quickly picked up momentum and powered his way
within striking distance of the leader. With only 75 meters
left in the race Muniz threatened to take the lead, but instead
placed 2nd clocking a lifetime personal best of 49.71.
The last event for the Spartan men was the 200-meter dash where
senior Anderson Munro had his debut race of the year. Chris
Muniz also raced in the 200-meter dash. Munro had a decent
performance running a time of 24.84. Muniz managed to
stun his fans once again by coming in 7th overall with a time of
22.77, just milliseconds off of his lifetime best.
The Spartans will back on the slate in late January
following the winter break hiatus.
