PRINCETON, N.J. – The Rutgers men’s track and field team scored 19 points through the second day of the 2009 IC4A Outdoor Championships to hold onto third place overall on Saturday, May 16, at Weaver Stadium. The women’s squad also continued competition on day two of the 2009 ECAC Outdoor Championships on the campus of Princeton University.
The men secured points on day two of the IC4A Championship from the pole vault and javelin and advanced to the finals in a number of events on the track.
Senior Brian Duggan (Staten Island, N.Y.) placed third in the pole vault, clearing a height of 16’ 6 3/4”, while junior Jeremy Pennino (Watchung, N.J.) and senior Brandon Burkhardt (Dallas, Pa.) took second and fourth, respectively in the javelin. Pennino recorded a throw of 218’ to finish runner up and Burkhardt posted a throw of 205’3”.
On the track, senior Bruce Owens (Wenonah, N.J.) helped pace the Scarlet Knights as he moved on to the finals in three events. Owens advanced to the finals in the 100-meter, 200-meter and was a member of the 4x100-meter relay team. In the 100, Owens ran a 10.60 to qualify for Sunday’s competition. He also clocked the fastest time in the prelims of the 200, running an NCAA Regional time of 21.16.
The 4x100-meter relay group of Owens, freshman Steve Werner (Newtown Sq., Pa.), and juniors Nii-Amon Roberston (Plainfield, N.J.) and Mike Demko (Hightstown, N.J.) placed fifth with a time of 41.31 to qualify for the finals.
Freshman Monroe Kearns (Jackson, N.J.) also moved on to the championship round of his event, running a time 1:50.24 in the 800-meter run.
The women’s squad saw junior Michelle Gomes (Orlando, Fla.) and sophomore Jamie Walker (Lawnside, N.J.) advance to the semifinals of the 100-meter dash. Gomes clocked a time of 11.90, while Walker crossed the finish line in 12.09; however, the pair did not move past the semis. Gomes also ran in the 200-meter dash, finishing seventh in the preliminaries with a time of 24.24, qualifying for the finals on Sunday.
Junior Natalie Clickett (Union City, Pa.) placed seventh in the discus throw with a mark of 149’ 4” to score points for the Scarlet Knights.
Both squads will resume competition for the final day on Sunday, May 17.
