Tracksters set records in Boston

"Setting records at record-setting" was the University at Buffalo track and field team's new motto as they returned from the ECAC/IC4A Championships in Boston with five new school records and All-East recognition.

In order to be permitted to the two-day event, athletes have to pass strict qualification standards and according to Bulls' head coach Vicki Mitchell, the meet is the next step in giving UB's track and field team the opportunity to compete at an even higher level of competition.

The Bulls claimed an exciting 11th place with 26 points against 48 scoring teams. Pittsburgh finished first, with 64.25 points - over 20 points more than the runner up, Duke.

Jenny Koeppel finished the 5,000-meter run in a time of 16:34.04. By cutting the old school record by almost 20 seconds, the senior improved her NCAA provisional qualifying time as well.

"Jenny had a terrific race. Jenny ran a very smart, focused, and determined race. Her performance is simply a reflection of everything she has done this season," said Mitchell.

Because of her great performance, Koeppel was nominated for the All-East team, one of the highest recognitions in collegiate track and field.

The members of the 400-meter relay team turned in the second new school record of the day.

Stacy Downer, Patrice Coney, Vashone Wallace, and Celestine Coney advanced on to Sunday's semifinal by crossing the finish line in a time of 3:47.25. Meanwhile the foursome beat the old school record set in 2003 by 1.15 seconds; they finished in fifth place and were allowed to compete in the finals on Sunday.

Their new record was only meant to be for a short period of time. The same four Bulls finished sixth in the 400-meter relay finals with a time of 3:46.05, which beat the new record from the Saturday's semifinal after one day by one second.

The last of the three new school records was set by the UB men's distance medley relay of Brian Heim, Chris McClure, Paul Riley and Steve Strelick. They finished in 10:04.13, which is two-tenths of a second faster than the old UB record and also earned them 11th place out of 26 teams.

In addition to the Bulls competing on the track, a contingent of UB athletes also fared well off of the track, in the field events.

Faith Thompson and Sarah Vance were the two leading Bulls at the weight throw and the shot put events.

In the shot put competition, Sarah Vance led the Bulls. Her successful toss had an impressive length of 46-3 1/4 and also earned her fifth place.

"This was a very good meet for Sarah. She had six solid throws, and was very focused for the event," said Mitchell. "I was proud of her performance."

Thompson finished seventh in the shot put with a toss of 45-5 1/4.

Thompson, who has broken quite a few school records this year, finished with a toss of 65-6 3/4 in the weight throw event.

Improving her NCAA provisional qualifying mark wasn't enough for Thompson, and by turning in a toss 10 inches longer than her old school record, she obtained another new school record.

"Her goal was always was to compete at her highest level with the hope of improving her mark. Faith is one that performs great under pressure; she rises to the occasion. Right now she is ranked 19th in the country," said Mitchell. "She also placed seventh in the shot put the day before, a terrific double. She made the All-East Team in both events."

Both Thompson and Vance were selected to be with their fellow teammate Koeppel on the All-East Team.

Back on the track, the women's distance medley relay team claimed another top four spot. Jen Jezorski, Stacy Downer, Kate Kohout, and Kelli O'Brien finished with a time of 11:40.67, which was good enough for an fourth place finish.

On the men's side, next to the distance medley relay team, Todd Joki showed an excellent performance in the long jump as well as Dan McKenna in the mile run.

Joki finished 11th with a jump of 22-1 1/2 and McKenna ran for 13th place, finishing the race in 4:13.93.

Mitchell said that she was proud of her athletes' ability to keep their eyes on what was important and that her athletes could see all the hard work they put in finally pay off.

"There are a number of reasons we had five new school records. The ability to stay focused and perform your best at the big meet is a skill. It is something that our individual coaches work with our athletes each day in practice, and it is a focal point of team meetings," said Mitchell. "Our athletes were ready and knew what we needed to do to reach our goals."

Now it is waiting time for Thompson and Koeppel to see if they made the qualification to compete at the NCAA championships next weekend.

"To get to the NCAAs shows not only that you are a great athlete, but that you've worked hard to be among the very best in the country," said Mitchell.

UB's indoor track and field team is now looking forward to another successful season with the outdoor season's kickoff on March 18 at the UNC-Wilmington Opener.