MIT FINISHES SPRING TRIP WITH TOP PERFORMANCES
April 1, 2006
There was plenty of heat at the University of Florida Diet Pepsi Invitational, both literally and figuratively. Some at MIT stepped up and responded to the competition, but all performed well despite a very hard week of work. Division I powerhouses at the meet included the University of South Carolina, University of Tennessee, Florida State, University of Virginia, Indiana University and host University of Florida. While most of the MIT team members were out of their element, the opportunity to compete against some of the best athletes in the world was one they will always remember.
Uzoma Orji led the way for the Engineers with two NCAA qualifying marks. In the hammer he finished seventh with a throw of 187-7. In the shot put he placed third with a throw of 57-11 3/4. James Oleinik supported with personal bests in the hammer (129-8) and discus (121-1) and threw well in the shot put with a throw of 44-11 3/4.
The 3000 steeplechase went well for MIT with Chris Bruce running a season best of 10:03.89 and Jake Ruzevick running 10:07.30 for his first ever effort in the event. Other season bests were: Dave Reshef in the 800 (2:00.94), Eric Khatchadourian in the 5K (15:35.06), Thad Wozniak in the long jump (20-3 1/2), Anthony Teixeira in the triple jump (43-3 3/4) and the 4x400 team of Alex Rothberg, Dave Reshef, Matt Bieniosek and Wozniak (3:28.47).
Next week, MIT returns to the Northeast and travels to WPI to try and retain the Engineer's Cup in a three-way competition with RPI and WPI.