NATE BALL VAULTS MIT OVER DIVISION I COMPETITION
February 6, 2006
MIT took a break from their traditional Division III competition, moving over to the very nice Boston University indoor track and field facility to compete against Boston College, Boston University, Northeastern University and Providence College in a non-scoring meet. Having defeated these same teams last year in this meet, the Engineers were looking forward to the opportunity of a scoring meet. However, with Jake Ruzevick out sick and Fivos Constantinou nursing a groin injury, the result may not have been as favorable for Tech.
MIT pulled out four victories, all in the field events. Nate Ball led the way with a new personal indoor best and new MIT indoor record of 16-6 in the pole vault. Ball's jump made the automatic standard for the NCAA Division III Championship next month. Uzoma Orji continued his undefeated ways, winning both the weight throw and the shot put. The unexpected victory came from Omari Stephens in the triple jump. Stephens set a personal best en route to his 42-02 1/2 victory.
MIT garnered few top places in the meet, but David Blau managed to get two of them. Blau ran 6.73 on the slow sprint surface to claim second in the 55 dash and 22.62 in the 200 to claim third. In two events MIT claimed a 1-2 victory. Anthony Teixeira supported Stephens' triple jump effort with a second place finish and James Oleinik finished second to Orji in the shot put with yet another personal best of 48-01 1/2.
In addition, there were some remarkable performances turned in by Tech. Constantinou turned in a courageous effort in the mile despite his groin problems. Coming off a slow third quarter, Constantinou ran a 61 final 400 to record a 4:16.52 fourth place finish. In the one distance event of the evening, Joe Roy-Mayhew ran a consistent pace and set a huge personal best in the 3000 of 8:46.53.
Other strong performances were accomplished by Matt Bieniosek in the 800 (1:58.98), Thad Wozniak in the 200 (23.01), Ryan King in the 3000 (9:07.50), Aron Walker in the 500 (1:08.65) and Stephen Oney in the 55 (6.81).
This coming Saturday, MIT will split their squad, sending some to the Boston University Valentine's Meet while keeping others at home for the MIT Coed Invitational.