May 9-11, 2002

The final two weeks of classes combined with a long season conspired to end most of MIT's track team a week early, causing them to miss the All New England Championship. Usually a very strong meet, equal or greater than the Division III Nationals, the meet was weakened without the presence of UConn and the Ivy League colleges. Even with the weaker competition, MIT was only able to place 10th overall with 26 1/2 points.

Tech had two personal bests and two season bests as they prepared for the NCAA Championship later this month. On day one, Sean Nolan led the way with an outdoor PR of 14:41.29 as he placed 2nd. Nolan improved his national ranking with his time and hopes it is good enough to get him into the National Championship. Also setting a PR, and improving his national qualifying mark, was Greg Walker who threw the hammer 170-2. Also in the Hammer Throw, Chris Khan placed 4th with a throw of 180-8.

In the High Jump, Craig Mielcarz tied for 4th with a first clear at 6-7. Teammate Brian Hoying also made 6-7, but settled for 6th position.

On the track, Brian Anderson qualified for the finals of the 1500 with a 3:55.80. The other runners were not so fortunate. Alan Raphael ran 1:58.24 in the 800 after a slow first quarter and had to call it quits after a very successful season. Yuval Mazor, suffering from a cold, could not get untracked in the 400 and missed the finals. Zach Traina ran well into the wind, but his 22.63 was not enough to advance.

Day two field events began with Khan throwing the Discus. With two of his three efforts being fouls he was unable to get one off far enough to make the finals, missing it by one person. Freshman Nate Ball continued his fantastic season with a 15-3 1/2 clearance, good enough for 5th place.

Ben Schmeckpeper showed he is still on track to make it to nationals in the 3000 Steeplechase by running an even split first mile in 4:57, and finished in 7th with a PR and freshman record of 9:24.12. This also provisionally qualified Schmeckpeper for the NCAA Championship.

Anderson was next on the track as he attempted to place in the 1500. He did not have the same passion as last week, letting the competition pull away from him after the 1200 mark. Anderson finished the final 300 in a dismal 48 seconds to fade to 9th place.

The final event for the Engineers was the 1600 Relay. The foursome of Matt Lehman, Raphael, Mark Jeunnette and Mazor decided they wanted one last opportunity to qualify for nationals, despite Lehman's tender hamstring and Mazor's cold. Lehman led off with a fine 49.8 leg despite pulling his hamstring after the first turn. Raphael ran a personal best 400 leg when he also brought the baton in in 49.8. Jeunnette got out slow but nevertheless closed well with a 50.5 to put MIT on course for a season best. Mazor pulled it together long enough to bring the around in a 50.0 to give Tech their season best of 3:20.22

Next week, MIT will take those that are provisionally qualified for nationals to the ECAC meet to see if they can improve their marks in their last chance opportunity. The meet will be held on Thursday and Friday at Springfield College.