Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Towson Invitational
Bucknell Men's Track & Field Wins Eight Events at Towson Invitational
3/26/2011 8:00:00 AM | Men's Track and Field
March 26, 2011
TOWSON, Md. - Bucknell men's track and field dominated at the unscored Towson Invitational, winning eight events as the Bison opened their outdoor season at Johnny Unitas Stadium on Saturday. Among the winners were Leonard Joseph and Ted Heitzman, who both recorded program top-10 marks despite it being their first meet of the spring.
Joseph won the hammer throw with a mark of 182 feet, 1 inch. The performance ranks seventh all-time at Bucknell and betters the sophomore's own personal record by nearly 14 feet. Joseph had been ranked 10th in program history prior to Saturday's meet. His improvement opened the No. 10 spot up for Tom Barr, who's throw of 169-9 was a personal best and now ranks 10th among Bison. The performance earned his a second-place showing at Towson.
Heitzman had an equally impressive improvement in the javelin. Although he remained in fourth on the program's record list, his throw of 221-10 was a personal best. Heitzman's closest competitor at Towson was Matt Hinkle of Delaware, who placed second with a 151-2 mark.
The throws continued to be a high point for Bucknell as Luke Webster (149-8), Barr (144-1) and Joseph (140-6) placed first through third, respectively, in the discus. Barr was also second in the shot put with a mark of 52-2, just one-half inch off his personal best, while Zachary Shapiro was third (50-8).
Victors on the track included Isaih Bell, Chris Sacks, John Picardo and Ian Shore. Bell's win came at 100 meters, and with a time of 10.98, the senior was the only runner under 11 seconds. Teammate Justin Hicks tried to make it two, but the sophomore finished in 11.00 flat for second place.
Sacks just edged out Christopher Boyd for the win at 1,500 meters. Sacks crossed the line in 4:04.20, while Boyd was close behind in 4:04.76. Clayton Smith, Dave Brown, Charles Murphy and Dustin Horning also took the next four places in the race.
Picardo won the 800 meters (1:55.22), while Shore was the leader in the 5,000 meters (15:32.45). Jake Schroeder also took silver in the 5K (15:33.67).
"Considering the cold temperatures, I was very pleased with the results," said head coach Kevin Donner after the meet. "All of our event areas competed very hard, and nobody used the weather as an excuse. We have traditionally been a slow-starting team because of spring break and a reloading training philosophy. However, I would have to say it was one of our best outdoor meets we have ever had in the month of March."
Back in the field events, Drew Fitzgerald was nearly a two-time winner. The senior placed first in the high jump, clearing 6-4. He was also second in the long jump with a mark of 20-11 ¾.
Bucknell will be back in action next week for the William & Mary Colonial Relays. The meet runs April 1-2 in Williamsburg, Va.
