UB's track and field hosted its only home meet of the season Saturday in front of a crowd of family, friends and fans that braved the nasty weather.
At the UB Open, the Bulls proved once again that they are made for tough conditions and they used the home advantage to complete the meet as the team with the most overall wins, although the meet was not scored by team.
"The athletes, especially the seniors, like to be able to compete at home. It is nice for our athletes to compete on their own facility," said UB head coach Vicki Mitchell.
UB's women athletes were competing at what seemed like a higher level than the competition, as they won 17 out of the 18 events. Meanwhile, the men's team finished the day with nine victories.
An outstanding performance was achieved by Sarah Vance, who despite the rough conditions, established a new school record in the discuss throw.
"Sarah has had several weeks of consistent improvements in her discus event and all of her other events. She is very determined and has high expectations of herself," said Mitchell.
Vance claimed the victory easily by throwing the discus 156-7. She left her competitors and fellow Bulls far behind her, beating the runner-up by almost 10 meters.
Additionally, Vance broke Sarah Fletcher's school record in the discus by seven inches and qualified for the NCAA East Regional meet in Manhattan. Fletcher set her record of 156 in 2002.
"After the Ohio meet a few weeks ago, I think (Vance) had a greater confidence knowing that she could throw well in the heavy rain. She just put that to her advantage. (Vance) has had her sights on qualifying for Regional and the school record, so now she has both," said Mitchell.
Vance wasn't the only UB athlete to have a successful day, as a season's best and four victories were turned in at the UB Open by Patrice Coney.
The sophomore achieved her first victory of the day in the 100-meter hurdles event, with her time of 14.62 seconds leaving the rest of the field in her tracks. Victory number two was an easy first place finish, as Coney was the lone entrant in the triple jump.
Coney also won the high jump for her third win of the day and for her final event, she won the 200-meter dash in 25.59 seconds. Those two victories also meant two new season-bests for Coney.
Another UB entrant in the 200-meter dash, Vashone Wallace finished with a season-best time of 25.88 seconds.
UB's record holder in the shot put and the hammer throw, Faith Thompson, finished at the UB Open as expected by turning in two victories on women's side. Thompson's two victories came in the shot put, with a throw of 44-11 3/4 and in the hammer throw with a toss of 195-7.
On the men's side, Gary Asbach was the Bulls' top performer as he scored victories in the long jump, leaping a distance of 21-6 3/4 and the triple jump, with a distance of 44-1.
"Although (Ashbach's) distances were not his season's best due to the conditions, he outdistanced his competitors. He also had a nice cheering crowd from friends and relatives from Grand Island," said Mitchell.
Mike Giordano joined Asbach in the winner's circle with his first victory of the outdoor season. Giordano won the shot put with a throw of 49-1 3/4.
Back on the track, the Bulls men finished first in five events, as Paul Riley, Dan McKenna, Steve Strelick, and Brain Heim claimed victories in the 400-meter, 800-meter, 1,500-meter and 400-meter hurdles, respectively.
According to Mitchell, the victories were a little sweeter because of the fact that the meet was held at UB Stadium.
"It is wonderful when we have spectators in the stands to support our athletes. Just to have a few extra voices cheering on the team makes a big difference to the athletes," said Mitchell.
The Bulls' next competition is scheduled for next weekend at Hillsdale College's Gina Relays.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
