December 8, 2007 - at Princeton's New Year's Invitational
December 8, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
College Indoor Track
Rider at Princeton New Year's Invitational
PRINCETON—The Rider University men’s and women’s indoor track and field teams opened the 2007-08 season competing at the Princeton New Year's Invitational Saturday at Jadwin Gym. “I thought we got some things accomplished that we set out to do, including getting a good look at our younger athletes,” said head coach Rob Pasquariello. “Our goal was to see how competitive we are. It is much different competing in practice and competing in an actual meet. You never know where you stand until you compete against other schools.”
For the Rider men, senior John Smith (Cliffwood Beach/Matawan) won the 3,000 meter with a person best time of 8:44.42. “John just picked up right where he left off from cross country season,” said Pasquariello. “He led our distance squad today.” Smith placed 14th at the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference cross country championships in October, earning All-MAAC honors for the third time in his career.
"I thought that the meet went well and was a good way to start the season," Smith said. "In my own particular race, we started out a little slow and then picked it up over second half of the race."
For the Rider women, junior Kelly Kajunski (Glenmore, Pa./Downington East) won the high jump with an ECAC qualifying height of 1.70m (5'7") with sophomore Lauren Lester (Schenectady, N.Y./Mohanosen) winning the mile (5:21.54).
"The first meet went well," Kajunski said. "I was disapointed that I missed 5'10" (1.80m) because I wanted to start the year off where I ended last year, but qualifying for ECAC's was a good start. Our women's team stepped up and competed, the field events continued their strength and the freshman gave us a preview towards a promising year."
“Kelly is ahead of schedule already in her preparation,” Pasquariello said. “Kelly is the person who the other athletes are going to look to and her consistency is going to allow her to stand on her own and surpass some of the accomplishments that Jazmine [Fenlator] put up last year. Kelly is developing into a leader, a take charge type of kid and is doing everything we have asked of her.”
Fenlator graduated as a two-time Rider Female Athlete of the Year and was named the Most Outstanding Performer at both the Indoor and Outdoor Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Track & Field Championships, leading Rider to a pair of team titles as a senior.
“Our preparation, getting ready to compete and going through that was just as important as an experience as the actual meet,” said Pasquariello. “I was really pleased with how everyone responded.”
Also for the men’s team, freshman Peter Wandell (State College, Pa./State College) was third in the 1,000 meter (2:33.83), senior Andre Fearon (Newark/St. Benedict's Prep) was fourth in the mile (4:21.10), freshman Christian Gonzalez (Somerset/Franklin Twp.) was fifth in the mile (4:22.75), freshman Chris Dollinger (Lansdale, Pa./North Penn) placed fifth in the 60 meter dash (7.10) and senior Jeff Stead (Fairless Hills, Pa./Pennsbury) was fifth in the 3,000 meter (8:59.27).
"As a team, I think we all performed well at the meet and had a good start to the indoor season," Smith added. At least with indoors you don't have to worry about the weather, compared with cross country which can sometimes hinder performances. Sometimes in an indoor facility, breathing can be an issue, but that's not always the case. You also don't have the changing terrain. During the track season, there are no hills to climb during the race. I like all three seasons, but cross country is probably my favorite. I like the changing terrain. Each course is different and that makes the races more interesting."
Also for the women’s team, sophomore Alicia Price (Voorhees/Eastern) was fourth in the weight throw (14.49m) and shot put (11.60m) and freshman Shaylah Counts (Newark/Malcoln Shabazz) was fifth in the 60 meter dash (8.18).
“The meet is a very good meet to open with,” Pasquariello said about the competition. “There really are no breaks in any of the events. All of the fields were solid and gave our athletes a chance to test themselves right out of the blocks. We got a good indication from our younger athletes that they can train and compete at a high level.”
The Broncs return to action on January 12 at the Penn State Relays.
“We try to educate our athletes that the schedule is going to be tough and until they get out there and actually compete, it’s hard to simulate that competitive level in practice,” Pasquariello added. “You never know how they are going to respond until they are placed in a competitive pressure situation and again, I was very pleased with both teams.”
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