STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. – Charlie Marquardt added another chapter to his historic career at Haverford Saturday evening when the Fords' indoor track & field team competed at the Villanova Invitational.
Marquardt broke the Centennial Conference record in the 3,000 meters last season when he posted the fastest time in Division III prior to the NCAA Indoor Championship. Tonight, he was even faster. Marquardt finished the 3,000 meter distance in a time of 8:06.56. That time broke the school record set by Seamus McElligott '91.
In addition to earning the fastest time in Division III for the second straight season, Marquardt's time ranks fourth in NCAA Division III Indoor Track & Field history. His mark is the fastest time in this event since North Central's Dan Mayer set the Division III record with a time of 7:59.23 during the 1994 season.
After Saturday's result, McElligott moves to eighth in the event all-time in Division III history. McElligott was ranked fourth in the event when he broke into the record book. Marquardt also bumps Michael Sheely '83 just outside of the all-time top 10 across Division III. His time is now third in school history for the event. Sheely was ranked third all-time in Division III when he ran his best 3,000 meter time of his career.
The Fords also got another two performances that currently rank inside of the top 15 in Division III this season before these times will be converted. Liam Lynch placed 10th overall in the 400 meters with a time of 49.61 seconds. That mark is 13th in Division III this season before conversions are factored in. Henry Woods' time of 4:14.6 in the mile placed him 13th on the evening and ranks him 14th in the NCAA this year before the track time conversion.
Jeffrey Ainsley made the finals in the 60 meter hurdles and placed fifth overall with a time of 8.41. He finished in exactly 8.4 seconds during the preliminary round. Ainsley also placed 20th in the 200 meters with a time of 23.25 seconds. Haverford's 4x400 relay team of Lynch, Jonathan Yellets, Dorvil Gabriel and Alex Frost crossed the line in sixth place with a time of 3:25.5.
Frost was the lone Haverford representative in the 60 meters as he placed 27th with a time of 7.47 seconds. Zach Oji led a pair of triple jump performances from the Fords as he placed 11th with a mark of 11.56 meters.
After this record-breaking weekend, another could possibly be in the cards next Friday when Marquardt returns to Staten Island for the FastTrack National Invite where he will run the mile. The rest of his teammates will return to action at the Widener Dual Meet that is scheduled for a 4:30 p.m. start on Monday, February 15.