PRINCETON, N.J. – The Rutgers men’s track and field team traveled to Princeton, N.J. on Friday, April 17 and Saturday, April 18 to compete at the Larry Ellis Invitational. RU qualified three athletes for NCAA Regionals and achieved numerous BIG EAST and IC4A qualifying marks.
Junior Bruce Owens (Wenonah, N.J.) qualified for NCAA Regionals in the 200-meter dash. Owens won the event, clocking a time of 21.08. Owens also competed in the 100-meter dash and was a member on the men’s 4x100 meter relay. In the 100 meter dash, Owens placed third with a BIG EAST and IC4A qualifying time of 10.68.
The 4x100 meter relay of Owens, freshmen Steve Werner (Newtown, Pa.) and juniors Mike Demko (Hightstown, N.J.) and Zachary Shands (Wyncote, Pa.) placed second overall, registering a time of 41.17, accomplishing both BIG EAST and IC4A qualifying times.
RU freshman Adam Bergo (Plainfield, N.J.) recorded an NCAA qualifying standard in the high jump, placing second and clearing a height of 2.10 meters. Following Bergo was freshman Kevin Bostick (Englewood, N.J.) who placed third in the high jump, with a height of 2.01 meters (BE qualifier).
In the javelin, junior Jeremy Pennino (Watchung, N.J.) added himself to the Scarlet Knight’s list of NCAA qualifiers. Pennino placed second, throwing a distance of 62.72 meters. Senior Brandon Burkhardt (Dallas, Pa.) followed with a third-place finish, as he recorded a BIG EAST and IC4A mark of 58.94 meters.
Two more IC4A qualifying times were achieved by senior Brian Sutherland (Edison, N.J.) and freshman Ellis Mensah (West Orange, N.J.). Sutherland placed fifth in the 400 meter hurdles with a time of 53.77, while teammate Mensah placed seventh in the 400 meter dash, clocking a time of 47.89.
The squad of Mensah, Owens, Sutherland and freshman Monroe Kearns (Jackson, N.J) posted a third-place time for the Scarlet Knights in the 4x400 meter relay, clocking 3:15.93. The relay achieved an automatic qualifying time for BIG EAST and IC4A.
The men’s track and field will continue competition on Friday, April 24 and Saturday, April 25 at the Penn Relays in Philadelphia, Pa.
