Track & Field at NEICAAA's: Watkins Breaks Record and Qualifies for Finals
Seven Blue Devils qualify for Saturday's final events.
The Central Connecticut men's track and field team competed in day one of the New England Indoor Track and Field Championships in Boston, MA on Friday. Sophomore Jordan Watkins broke the CCSU record in the 60 meter hurdle event with a time of 8.39 seconds. His time ousts senior Nick Lindblom's record of 8.41 seconds, set last season, and ranks him a qualifier for tomorrow's final competition.
Senior Aaron Radden, who holds the New England record for the 60 meter dash with a time of 6.81 seconds, took first place in the prelims with a time of 6.89 seconds to qualify for semi-final competition on Saturday. Radden also ran a 21.29 in the 200 meter dash, topping the field and qualifying for final competition in the event
Freshman Joseph Gioielli took an impressive third place out of 31 runners in the 1,000 meter run with a qualifying time of 2:28.81.
In the 400 meter dash, the Blue Devils turned in three qualifying performances in sophomore Jamal Fruster, who ran a 49.46, Lindblom in 49.78 and senior Dan Hopper who crossed the finish line in 49.48. The trio finished in fifth, sixth and 12th place, respectively.
Senior John Krell took 10th place in the 5,000 meter finals race, crossing the finish line 14:54.07. Krell was followed by freshman Matt Walker who finished 13th in the event. Walker's time of 14:58.48 surpassed his previous collegiate personal-best of 15:17.00 set at the University of Albany Great Dane Classic on Jan. 18.
In the 500 meter dash, junior Ryan Budd placed 14th with a new collegiate personal-best time of 1:06.46. Budd was followed by sophomore Joey Farrington who crossed the finish line in 1:07.02 in 22nd place and by freshman Brian Beckwith who ran a 1:08.00. Beckwith also surpassed his previous collegiate personal-best with his performance.
In a day full of broken records, freshman Malcolm Connor also came up with a note-worthy performance in the 800 meter run. Connor finished the race with a new collegiate personal-best time of 1:55.78 and was followed closely by senior Mike Waterbury in 1:56.03.
For complete results from day one, click here.
The Blue Devils will return to action tomorrow, Saturday, Feb. 22, for day two of the New England Indoor Championships in Boston, MA.
