The Boston University’s men’s and women’s track and field teams hosted the America East Championship at the Track and Tennis Center this weekend intent on defending their home turf.
Surely, the women did.
The women’s team entered the weekend looking for their third consecutive conference title. The Terriers’ dominance continued, as BU took first place after eight events with a final score of 206.83.
“The girls were very ecstatic,” said BU coach Robyne Johnson. “They were all glad that they could be part of a winning team. Several women on the team are at the top of the America East Conference. They all showed up and had great performances.”
The University of New Hampshire took second with 141.33 points, ahead of the University at Albany (114.50), University of Maryland-Baltimore County (72), Stony Brook University (72), University of Maine (54), Binghamton University (51), University of Vermont (45.33) and the University of Hartford (22).
Senior Marisa Ryan was named Track Athlete of the Meet, claiming first place in both the mile and 3000-meter events. Sophomore Whitney Ford, however, was the high scorer for BU, finishing first in both the 55m dash (7.12) and long jump (5.97m). She also took second in the 200m (24.76) and second in the triple jump to establish a new personal record in each event.
Senior Tahari James’s first-place score in the triple jump (12.08m) set a new meet record.
The women’s 4×800 team finished first in 9:07.48, while the 4×400 unit placed fourth with a time of 3:54.36. Freshman Karly Neveu won the high jump, while Megan LaBella took third overall in the pentathlon with 3,178 points.
The men’s team wasn’t as fortunate, placing fifth with 88 points. Albany (186) won its second straight conference championship, outlasting Binghamton (142), New Hampshire (130.50), UMBC (50), Stony Brook (59), Vermont (36), Maine (28) and Hartford (16).
Junior Jan Bicanic threw for a season-best 16.37 meters in shot put, while senior Greg Daggett and sophomore Logan Moore placed fourth and fifth in the heptathlon, respectively. Sophomore Mac-Alen Gerard took second in the triple jump.
The men’s 4×800 team placed second with a time of 7:50.56, and the 4×400 team took seventh (3:22.17). Senior Pat Hoye finished second in the mile with a time of 4:11.87.
Johnson said the men’s faulty performances were a result of several injuries, and she hopes for a better showing next year with a new crop of talent.
“We are always looking to recruit more students to fill the holes,” Johnson said.
The teams resume action this weekend in the New England Championship – held Friday and Saturday at the TTC.
