Blue Devils In Second Place After Day One at NEC Championship Meet

Sophomore Matt Berube and senior Ry Sanderson each won events to lead the Central Connecticut men's track and field team during first day action at the Northeast Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Emmitsburg, MD. The Blue Devils scored 48 points to finished Saturday in second place out of 10 teams.

Berube won the high jump with a mark of 6 feet and 8.25 inches. His height was only 1.25 inches off of CCSU's school record. The sophomore also placed 10th in the long jump, recording a distance of 22'4.5". Sanderson won the 10,000 meters for the second time in his career, crossing the line in 31:06.12. His time was good enough to qualify for the IC4A Championships.

Sophomore Nick Trifone also gave Central some points in the high jump. He recorded a mark of 6'3.5" to place fifth in the event. The Blue Devils cleaned up the 10,000 meters, totaling three runners in the top five. Sophomore Sam Alexander took third in a time of 31:32.91, while freshman Craig Hunt crossed the line in 32:09.91 to place fifth.

The CCSU 4x800 meter relay team broke the school record while placing fourth in the event. The team comprised of sophomores Michael Waterbury, Kevin Tiernan and Jeremy Schmid, as well as freshman Mohamed Hrezi set the new Central Connecticut record with a time of 7:54.21.

Sophomore Rashad Williams handled the throwing events for the Blue Devils. He placed fourth in the hammer throw, recording a distance of 165'7". Williams also took fifth in the shot put with a mark of 50'6.25".

Three CCSU student-athletes also qualified for Sunday's competition. Schmid recorded the second best 1,500 meter time of the day, crossing the line in 3:58.88. Hrezi qualified for Sunday's 800 meter competition, winning his heat on Saturday in a time of 1:56.33. Junior Josue Paul will compete in the 100 meter dash on Sunday after coming in at 11.05 seconds in qualifying action.

The Blue Devils trail only Monmouth, who recorded 70.5 points in first day action. CCSU has 48 points, while Long Island stands in third with 26.5 points after Saturday's competition.