Dave Geringer                                              Athletic Department            (508) 990-9651

Sports Information Director                       Tripp Athletic Center           sportsinfo@umassd.edu
Saturday, 14 January 2006

           
               CORSAIRS SET RECORD, QUALIFY AT TUFTS INVITATIONAL
                                                                                                                       
MEDFORD, MA-A record-breaking performance and a couple of qualifying marks highlighted the performance of the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth’s indoor track and field team at their first meet of the fall semester Saturday.

No team scores were recorded at the first Tufts Invitational of the 2005-06 season at the Gantcher Family Sports and Convocation Center.

Freshman Theresa McGrath (Saugus, MA/Saugus HS) broke the UMass Dartmouth record when she finished fourth in the shot out with an effort of 37 feet, eight 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 ninth at 1500 meters with a personal best time of 5:17.51.Sophomore Katie Malloy (Agawam, MA/Agawam HS) was seventh in the high jump at 4-11 ¾, while the 4 X 400 meter relay team of Nygaard, Katie Malloy, sophomore Alicia Malloy (Agawam, MA/Agawam HS) and junior Ashley Brown (Cambridge, MA/Rindge & Latin HS) was seventh in 4:31.84.

On the men’s side, junior Jonathan Garcia (Stoneham, MA/Stoneham HS) improved on his NCAA qualifying mark, winning the 55-meter hurdles in 7.81 after running 7.73 in the trials. Senior Clayton Gullatt (Gardner, MA/Gardner HS) was third in the high jump at 6-2, allowing him to qualify for the New England Division III Championships. Sophomore Brendan Cavanaugh (Wilbraham, MA/Minnechaug HS) was sixth in the triple jump with a personal best mark of 38-6 ¾, freshman Jimmy Knuuttila (Lunenburg, MA/Lunenburg HS) was seventh at 200 meters in 23.85 seconds, the 4 x 200 meter relay team of Knuuttila, Garcia, junior Yusef White (New Bedford, MA/New Bedford HS) and sophomore Chris Botelho (Stoneham, MA/Stoneham HS) finished fourth in 1:34.57 (.02 off the school record), and the 4 X 400 relay team of Knuuttila, White, Botelho and Samuel Machuor (Newbury, MA/Triton Regional HS) was seventh in 3:35.99.

“Some of our people made some real improvements over their performances before the holidays,” said UMass Dartmouth Head Coach Jon Hird. “We saw some areas of rust, but we haven’t competed in a month, and we competed pretty well.”

UMD will return to action at the Brandeis Invitational nest Saturday.

UMASS DARTMOUTH TRACK AND FIELD