Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Bison Opener
Bucknell Men's Track and Field Competes in Bison Opener
12/6/2003 7:00:00 AM | Men's Track and Field
Dec. 6, 2003
LEWISBURG, Pa. - The Bison men picked up three solo event wins and tied for another in the Bison Opener, a non-scoring event and the first meet of the 2003-04 season, held at Bucknell's Gerhard Fieldhouse. Though 12 men's teams were scheduled to compete against Bucknell, all but Susquehanna, Morgan State, Lock Haven, and Slippery Rock were kept away due to the thick blanket of snow that covered much of Pennsylvania.
"It was a nice opener, however, we had lots of injuries coming into the competition and to be competitive in the Patriot League, we need to be at full strength," said Bucknell Head Coach Kevin Donner.
Noel Powell recorded one of two Bucknell top-10 records on the afternoon when he entered his name onto the 400 meter list. Powell ran the race in 49.79 seconds, good for sixth-best all-time. Mike Geraghty set the record of 49.01 in 1984. The other top-10 performance was turned in by Jeff Arek, who vaulted 15'3", tying his own seventh-best all-time record that he also achieved in 2001 and 2002.
Powell's 400 time counted for one event win, while Arek tied for the top vault. Senior Thomas Prochilo won the 800 meter race in 1:57.32. Sophomore Kevin Fortkiewicz recorded an event win for Bucknell, finishing the 3000 meters in 8:48.83, seven seconds better than his closest competitior, Joe Wiegner of Lock Haven (8:55.79). Fortkiewicz set a personal record in the event, besting his old mark of 9:02.81 by 16 seconds.
The Bison will have over a month off for finals and winter break, and will return to competition on Saturday, January 10 again at Gerhard Fieldhouse for the Gulden Relays.
