Bucknell University
Bison Outdoor Classic
Bucknell Track & Field Overcomes Adverse Weather for Wins at Bison Outdoor Classic
4/16/2011 8:00:00 AM | Men's Track and Field
April 16, 2011
LEWISBURG, Pa. - A day after Bucknell track and field recorded some of the best marks in program history, rain, wind and cold humbled the competition as action wrapped up at the Bison Outdoor Classic at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium on Saturday. Even with less than ideal weather conditions, however, the Bison finished the meet with seven gold medals, including five on the men's side.
"This weekend was an incredible weekend for our program in a lot of ways. The performances on Friday evening were outstanding with so many PRs and program bests," said head coach Kevin Donner. "Saturday's weather was miserable. However, I was so proud of how our athletes responded with a positive outlook and we received some great efforts and performances. This experience will make us a stronger team."
Field events continued to be a high point for the Bucknell men as they took first place in the hammer throw and high jump. Jason Brown (Plainville, Mass./Bishop Feehan) tied for first in the high jump, clearing 6 feet, 2 ¼ inches. Leonard Joseph's (Whitesboro, N.Y./Clinton) mark in the hammer was stronger as he won with a throw of 184-6. Tom Barr (Ambler, Pa./La Salle College HS) was fourth in the hammer (168-8) as well.
Barr put up a strong performance in the shot put, placing fifth (49-3 ¾). Teammates Zachary Shapiro (River Edge, N.J./River Dell) and Quinten Marcott (Wayland, Mich./Wayland) bested him, however, placing third (51-0 ¼) and fourth (49-5), respectively.
A majority of the remaining wins on both the men's and women's sides came in the long sprints or middle distances. Chelsea Lodato (Matawan, N.J./Old Bridge) took top billing in the 800 meters with a time of 2:17.95. She led a group of three Bison in the top five, which included Hana Casalnova (Grove City, Pa./Grove City) and Emily Waksmunski (Carrolltown, Pa./Bishop Carroll) in fourth and fifth place.
Jennifer Zymet (Paramus, N.J./Paramus) won the 400 meters in 57.78 seconds, less than .3 seconds of a second shy of cracking the program's top 10 lists. The men's 400 was also won by a Bison as Robert Arent (New Providence, N.J./New Providence) led in 48.78 seconds.
Dan Mularz (Englishtown, N.J./Freehold Township) took first in the 400 hurdles with a time of 54.50 seconds. The junior was also Bucknell's top finisher in the 110-meter hurdles, placing fourth in 15.69.
Concluding the list of first-place finishers for the Bison was the men's 4x100 relay. The quartet crossed the line in 42.24 seconds, just .24 seconds ahead of second-place Buffalo.
Earning one of the top finishes in the field event for the women's squad was Rebecca Frey (Bethlehem, Pa./Liberty). Frey placed second in the pole vault, clearing 11-11 ¾.
Although the Bison Outdoor Classic was unscored, Bucknell would have claimed several points in yesterday's contested field events, which included a win the javelin for Laura Rycek (Northampton, Pa./Northampton Area) and two of the top discus marks in program history for Rebecca Misko (Morristown, N.J./Madison) (152-11) and Abby Monaghan (La Plata, Md./La Plata) (143-7).
When the Orange and Blue return to the track, it will be for their second and final home meet. The Bucknell Team Challenge is slated for Saturday, April 23 at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium and puts them just two weeks out of the Patriot League Championships, scheduled for May 6-7 in Easton, Pa.
