MIT TAKES FIRST IN TRI-MEET VS. BATES AND COAST GUARD
Anderson's Double Victory and Orji's and Khan's National Qualifying Marks Lead Way
January 18, 2003
Brian Anderson led the Engineers with two victories in the 1500 and 800 as MIT (152.5) downed Bates (104.5) and Coast Guard (92) in a tri-meet hosted by Coast Guard. In a supporting role, many MIT athletes stepped up to do their part. Uzoma Orji again boosted his shot put best as he won the event with a 53-10 1/4. Orji's mark currently lead all Division III national marks and set the MIT varsity record, previously set by John Morefield in 1956. Chris Khan made his successful return to competition with a national qualifying mark of 53-6 1/2 in the weight throw, and helped out with a 3rd place effort of 42-6 3/4 in the shot. Craig Mielcarz scored the most points for Tech by winning the long jump with a leap of 21-4 3/4, 2nd in the High Jump (6-5) and another 2nd in the 55HH (8.12 in the trials).
Many Engineers were on the sidelines nursing minor injuries with hopes they would be ready to go next week when MIT will have to raise the bar on their performances if they hope to defeat Williams College. Zach Traina, who won the 55 dash, was hampered by an adductor muscle strain and did not run the 200. Brian Hoying, a major threat for MIT in the jumps and 400 is resting a strained hamstring. Rick Rajter competed, but a pinched nerve prevented him from doing well. Sean Nolan, bothered by a foot injury, rested when it was clear his teammates did not need his services. Freshmen distance runners, Steve Maltas and Fivos Constantinou had to sit so as not to risk further injury. There is no question MIT will need these guys if they hope to win the next two meets.
On the positive side, Nate Ball returned to competition with a 14-6 effort in the pole vault and showed he is very close to clearing 15' again. Tom Hoover showed some of last year's form with a leap of 21-4 3/4 in the long jump (losing out to Mielcarz by virtue of the 2nd best jump), clearing 5-9 in the high jump and placing 5th in the 400 and 3rd in the 200.
Additional winning efforts came from three other techmen. Craig Wildman in the 3000 with a personal best of 9:03.0. David Blau took advantage of Traina's absence to win the 200 in a best of 24.08. Austin Neudecker, expected to win the triple jump, did just that with a 43-4 1/2 performance.
Next week, in addition to Williams visiting MIT, RPI and Westfield State will join to make a very interesting quad-meet in Cambridge. The men will begin competition at 12:00, while the women will start their meet at 3:30.