CHESTER, Pa. - The Haverford College men's track & field team competed at the Widener Final Qualifier Monday afternoon in Chester, looking to improve some NCAA positioning heading into Sunday's announcement of qualifiers to the national meet.
Jamie Moreland set a new personal best in the 800 meters, as he logged a 1:49.10 to improve to third place all-time on the Haverford outdoor top 10 list, becoming just the third Haverford runner to run a sub 1:50. The Los Angeles native joins USTFCCCA Hall of Famers Karl Paranya and Kevin Foley in joining that rarefied air. Moreland's time is currently sixth in the nation in the 800 meters -- For each event at the national championship meet, the marks of the top 20 declared student-athletes will be accepted into the competition. Matthew Denton also competed in the event, logging a time of 1:54.21, a new personal best for the junior.
In the 1,500 meters, Ryan Kredell finished 10th with a time of 3:48.49, a new personal best in the distance. Nico Tripeny finished 32nd in 3:56.88, also a new PR, while Reza Eshghi (3:57.83) and Michael Franco (4:02.85) rounded out the Haverford contingent, with Franco notching a new personal best.
Seamus Flannery added a new PR in the steeplechase, finishing the event in 9:51.15, a huge improvement as it was the first time the senior had gone under 10 minutes in the steeple.
Reigning Centennial Conference medalist Peter LaRochelle was the 11th place finisher in the 5,000 meters with a new personal best (14:31.34), ahead of new PRs from Aaron Bratt (14:40.75) and Nathaniel Leighninger (14:50.95).
Jonathan Hill also logged a seventh place finish in the 200 meters (22.37), following up a stellar CC Championships performance as he was the silver medalist in that event last weekend at Ursinus. In field events, Ravi Eaton finished ninth overall in the triple jump, clearing 13.23 meters (43 feet, five inches).
Currently Moreland (sixth in 800 meters, 12th in the 1,500 meters) and Kredell (9th in the 10,000 meters and 15th in the 5,000 meters) figure to be in a good spot to qualify for the NCAA Championships according to the TFRRS Division III descending order outdoor qualifying lists. The official selection announcement is slated for Sunday, May 21.