CORSAIRS FIFTH, SIXTH AT REGGIE POYAU MEMORIAL MEET 
                                                                                                                      

WALTHAM, MA-The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth’s indoor track and field team performed well at their second meet of the fall semester Saturday.

The men finished fifth of eight teams, while the women were sixth of eight teams at the Reggie Poyau Memorial Meet at host Brandeis University’s Gosman Sports and Recreation Center.

Freshman Teresa McGrath (Saugus, MA/Saugus HS) finished fourth in both the shot put (with an effort of 34 feet, seven inches) and in the 20-pound weight throw, with a personal best toss of 39 feet, six inches. Her throw also qualified her for the New England Division III Championships. McGrath also finished sixth in the 20-pound weight throw with a toss of 38-1.

Sophomore Leanne Nygaard (Medway, MA/Medway HS) finished fifth at 1000 meters with a personal best time of 3:13.65. Her mark allowed her to qualify for the Division III New England Championships.

On the men’s side, junior Jon Garcia (Stoneham, MA/Stoneham HS) finished first in both the 55-meter hurdles (7.68 seconds) and in the long jump (21 feet, 5 1/2 inches). His 55-meter hurdle mark currently leads the nation.

Senior Clayton Gullatt (Gardner, MA/Gardner HS) won the high jump at 6-1½. Junior Brian Vatcher (Stoneham, MA/Stoneham HS) anchored the third place distance medley relay team with a mark of 4:28.1 in the mile, then came back to finish second at 1000 meters in 2:40.11. Freshman Jimmy Knuuttila (Lunenburg, MA/Lunenburg HS) was third at 200 meters in a personal best time of 23.60 seconds, while sophomore Eric Holmes (Abington, MA) was fourth at 3000 meters with a personal best time of 9:31.87.

UMass Dartmouth had 65 points in the men’s meet, 20 behind Southern Maine and 20 ahead of Bridgewater State. Bowdoin finished first with 147 points. Host Brandeis won the women’s meet with 187 points. The Corsairs had 28 points, four less than Bridgewater State and six more than Gordon.

“This was one of those days where you can see where you might be at the end of the season, although you’re not there yet,” said UMass Dartmouth Head Coach Jon Hird. “Jon Garcia is leading the nation right now in the 55 meter hurdles, and he hasn’t been challenged yet, Brian Vatcher has really come on since the conference meet last year, Teresa McGrath keeps getting better and better, and will have a good shot at our school record in the weight throw.”

The Corsairs will return to action at the Southern Maine Invitational next Saturday.

UMASS DARTMOUTH TRACK AND FIELD