Led by several record-setting performances, the Boston University track and field team turned in a successful weekend at the BU Last Chance Meet at the Track and Tennis Center.
A solid showing by the distance runners, particularly senior Rich Peters, helmed the Terrier men. Peters finished third in a loaded 1,000m race, running 2:18.55, breaking the NCAA record that was set in 2012 by Robby Creese of Penn State University.
The race became the third time that Peters has broken a record this indoor season. At the John Thomas Terrier Invitational on Jan. 25, Thomas posted a school-best in the 3000m run. A week later, at the David Hemery Valentine Invitational, Peters broke his own school record in the mile, finishing with a blistering time of 3:57.27. In addition to his three indoor records, Peters also holds a school record in the outdoor 1,500m thanks to his time of 3:40.05 last spring season.
Peters’ performance was not the only setting new marks in the race, as he was only one of three record-breaking performances in the run. David Torrance, a professional runner for Nike, set a United States record in the race with his time of 2:16.76. Nate Brannen a graduate of the University of Michigan, who finished second in the race, ran a time of 2:16.87, good for a new Canadian record.
Not only did BU have Peters place in the 1,000m, but the team also had a solid showing in the 3,000m. In his third-place effort, sophomore Kevin Thomas posted a career-best time of 8:12.67. Fellow sophomore Alec Olson finished fourth in the same race with his 8:24.24 effort.
To lead the sprinters, sophomore David Lagerberg placed second in the 400m dash, completing the two laps in an impressive 47.14 seconds. The mark was a new personal-best for Lagerberg.
Junior Nikolaos Farmakidis was tied for third in the pole vault with a leap of 4.89 meters. To wrap up the field events, junior Michael Maloof threw 16.01m in the weight throw to place fourth in the competition.
Only a week after capturing the Patriot League title, the women’s team showcased its depth, achieving strong results throughout the meet.
For the sprinters, the 4×400 relay team took center stage, capping off the meet by breaking their own school record in the event. The group of freshman Toria Levy, sophomore Christy Wood and seniors Carolyn Maynard and Hannah Wiley teamed up for a combined time of 3:38.97, finishing just a little more than two seconds behind first-place Hampton University.
Junior Gemma Acheampong ran the 200m dash for the Terriers in 24.7 seconds, a season-best time and good for a fourth place finish. Acheampong’s teammate, freshman Djenne Parris followed suit with her fifth-place finish. Her time of 25.07 was a personal-best for the first-year runner. Sophomore Talia Flores finished eighth in the same race at a time of 26.12 seconds.
Parris also competed in the 400m dash, completing the race in 57.24 seconds, placing eighth.
Not to be outdone, the Terrier women distance runners had several impressive performances. In the mile run, junior Monica Adler came in fifth, posting a career-best time of 4:36.35, falling just short of a new BU record. Junior Rosa Moriello continued her strong indoor campaign, running 16:27.3 to finish fifth in the 5,000m.
In the field events, senior Sarah Dillard won the women’s weight throw with a toss of 15.89m and came in third in the shot put with a distance of 12.53 meters.
Moving forward, the Terriers will play host for the IC4A/ECAC Championship meet March 7 through March 9 at the Track and Tennis Center.
Director of track and field Robyne Johnson was unable to be reached for comment
Jackie is a sports reporter for The Daily Free Press and has previously served as Managing Editor and Associate Sports Editor of the FreeP. At this moment, she's probably watching Shark Tank and thinking of ways to work, "and for that reason, I'm out," into casual conversations. Please send all inquiries in the form of a box combo from Cane's with no coleslaw and extra fries or follow her on Twitter at @jackie_bam
