The outdoor track teams elevated their performances to new highs on Saturday at their final home meet of the season, the Elmer Swanson Invitational. The event featured familiar NESCAC opponents Trinity and Conn. College as well as other schools such as Vassar and Brandeis.
The Cardinals took the top four and the sixth place spots in the 3,000-meter run. Wes Fuhrman ’05 led the flock of Derrty Birds with a time of 8:55.67. He was followed closely by Jon King ’07 (9:11.97), the returning Bryan Bissell ’04 (9:18.83), and Alex Battaglino ’07 (9:25.73). Ed Kenney ’07 finished sixth in 9:48.27.
“No one comes to our track and pushes us around,” said Ed Kenney ’07, who is looking forward to a showdown with his twin brother from Bates in the near future.
Wesleyan also notched the top two spots in the 3,000-meter steeplechase when Owen Kiely ’06 broke the tape at 9:33.37 and Matt Franco ’07 came in at a personal best 10:34.81.
“I think this meet was indicative of the savage nature of Wes track,” Franco said. “The Derrty Birds get the job done be it beauteous or repugnant. Bryan Bissell showed what it means to be a true leader, and inspired us with his performance, the awe of many a trivial racing stallion. Wes Fuhrman attacked the track like a caged animal might attack a small child. Owen Kiely jogged through an amazing steeple, only greater proving the immense differences between himself and those of us who can only strive to be great. There can no longer be any doubt that Wes track is the Cadillac of NESCAC track.”
Wesleyan managed to take places in two other events. Pat Moffett ’04 won the 110-meter hurdles in :15.38, anchored the first place 4×100 meter relay team with Justin Freiberg ’04, Mshangwe Crawford ’04, and Taylor Bentley ’06, and even managed a third place finish in the 200-meter run (:23.62).
Other top performances for the Cardinals included the 4×800 meter relay team of Matt Moss ’05, Seth Warren ’05, Greg Heller ’04, and Kiely, which finished second with a time of 8:17.79. Crawford, Joel Pratt ’07, and Dave Tudor ’06 took second place in the triple jump, high jump, and javelin throw, while Matt Wendus ’05 and Dan Mays ’06 nailed down third place in the high jump and javelin.
The women had an equally impressive day at the Swanson Invitational. They were led by Esther Schlegel ’04, who won the 100-meter hurdles with a time of 15.61, finished second in the 400-meter hurdles in 1:08.77, and anchored the second place 4×100 meter relay team with Morgan Philbin ’04, Abby Austin ’07, and Rebecca Morrell ’06 (:53.87). Philbin also had a busy day, finishing fifth in the 100-meter dash (:14.68), and second in the 200-meter dash (:29.59).
“Overall, it was fun because it was our last home meet of the season, and last ever for so many senior girl sprinters. We knew we had to step it up, and we mixed that with having fun,” Philbin said. “We got a lot of support from team itself cheering people on, and a lot of people showed up. Hopefully the momentum carries over to next weekend’s Little Threes, and the rest of our meets [with team scoring].”
The other Cardinal victory came when Kalia Lydgate ’07 threw her discus 88 feet, zero inches, good for first place. Lydgate was also part of the slew of Cardinals that finished third, when she achieved this feat in both the shot put and javelin events.
Other highlights on the day included Ellen Davis ’07 and Erin Smith ’06 finishing second and third in the 3,000-meter run, Liz Colville’s second place finish in the 5,000-meter run (20:39.06), Abby Austin’s third place finish in the 200-meter dash, and several throwers and jumpers finishing in the top three spots.
Next up for the intimidating, high-flying Wes track teams is the Little Three meet this Saturday at Williams.
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