The Spartan men kicked off the 2009-2010 Indoor Track & Field season at Northeastern University Saturday. The Spartan's had four top-ten finishes on Saturday, two of which were by underclassmen.
Freshman Mike Abelard, from Ramapo HS, and freshman Rich Ricca, from Pearl River HS, both set the tone for what's to come in the upcoming season. Ricca competed in the 55-meter dash, the first race of the day, and clocked a time of 6.73 seconds, matching his lifetime personal best in this event and just missing the finals. Ricca exploded off the blocks and powered through the line coming in 10th overall; truly a noteworthy performance for his first time competing in the collegiate circuit. Ricca also competed in the 200-meter dash and clocked a time of 23.80 seconds-a lifetime best.
Abelard, too, positively represented the youth of Saint Thomas Aquinas College as he competed in the first heat of the 200-meter dash, clocking a time of 22.71 seconds, which placed him 6th out of a field of 109. "I felt strong and in shape," Abelard said in response to his first collegiate performance, "I can't wait to get some speed work in." Clearly Saint Thomas Aquinas College can continue to expect some big things from Abelard.
Close behind Abelard in 200-meter dash was junior sprinter John Cirolia. Cirolia, after a red-shirt year last year, adapted well to racing again, placing 17th overall clocking a time of 23.54 seconds. He will be a key player in the 4x400-meter relay later in the season. Senior Chris Muniz ran the 400-meter dash in a time of 50.24 seconds, a respectable performance for the first meet of the year. Muniz placed 9th.
On the distance side, senior Einar Brissing competed in the mile. He clocked a time of 4:27.83, which placed him 10th out of 69 competitors. Freshman James Patton also competed in the 5000-meter run and clocked time of 17:35.92. Saturday was Patton's first race of his collegiate career, and first indoor 5000-meter race.
The Spartans will return to action on Friday, December 11th at Fordham University.