March 4, 2006 - at ECAC's - Day One

March 4, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

College Track & Field

Rider at Easterns-Day One

BOSTON, MA-The Rider University indoor track & field teams are competing at the Eastern Championships this weekend, with the men at the ICAAAA Championships at Boston University, and the women at the ECAC Championships, held at the Reggie Lewis Track. "We had a great day on both sides, the men and the women," said coach Rob Pasquariello. "We were surrounded by outstanding talent today and I hope our athletes felt they belonged because they certainly did today."

For the Rider men, junior David Payne (Neptune) broke the Rider record in the 200 meters (21.35) in the preliminaries Saturday, qualifying for the finals with the second fastest time. Payne’s time of 6.40 in the preliminaries of the 55m dash was the third fastest heading into the semi-finals Sunday.

Senior Ayotunde Owodunni (Sicklerville, N.J./Highland Regional) broke the Rider record in the 500m (1:03.65) to qualify for the finals Sunday. Senior Jamaal Harris (Beverly, N.J./Palmyra) ran a 6.47 in the 55m dash preliminaries and sophomore Randy Nixon (Manorville, NY/West Hampton) advanced to the semi-finals in the 55m hurdles (7.76), and junior Doug Beck (Branchburg/Somerville) had a weight throw of 16.74m, the second best of his career, and placed 15th.

Freshman Anthony Parillo (South River, N.J./South River) placed 11th in the long jump (21’9.5") and senior Adam Kucinski (Erial, N.J./Highland Regional) placed 18th in the long jump (20’11.75").

For the Rider women, junior Jazmine Fenlator (Wayne, N.J./Wayne Valley) placed ninth in the shot put (45’11").

Senior Ashley Miller (Lebanon, Pa./Cedar Crest) long jumped 4.96, junior Katie O’Connor (Forked River/Lacey Twp.) and freshman Kelly Kajunski (Glenmore, Pa./Downington East) both cleared 5’5" in the high jump, and senior Carla Wynter (Roselle, N.J./Abraham Clarke) ran her fastest time of the year in the 200m (25.74).

Competition continues Sunday.

-RU-