MEDFORD, Mass. - Competing in the Tufts Cupid Challenge, the Haverford College men's track & field team had a solid showing, with eight top 10 finishes in a meet that featured a strong field of competitors from throughout New England. There was no team scoring for the meet. Jamie Moreland highlighted the day by winning the mile, while teammate Matt Katz was second as the pair set the tone for a bevy of finishers.
Haverford had eight overall entrants in the mile, with Moreland grabbing the event title in 4:15.08. The time is a personal best for the sophomore, and represents the fifth-fastest mile in the nation so far this season with results from action on Saturday still rolling in across the Division III landscape. Moreland figures to be in strong contention for indoor nationals, and will be back in the Boston area in a weeks time for action at the David Hemery Valentine Invitational. Reigning Centennial Conference Track Athlete of the Week Matt Katz continued his outstanding start to the indoor campaign with another PR, clocking in just three-tenths of a second behind Moreland.
Charlie Ferguson was the eighth finisher in 4:24.99, while Nico Tripeny was the ninth to toe the line in 4:26.02. Tripeny eclipsed his personal best, set earlier this season at the NYC Gotham Cup, by almost five seconds. Simon Perales (4:27.54) and Nathan Leighninger (4:29.81) crossed in 12th and 16th, respectively, picking up personal bests, while Nick Scardigno (4:38.81) and Scott Kaiser (4:46.53) rounded out the sizable mile grouping for the Fords.
Haverford also had a big pack in the 5,000 meters, a lineup that was led by senior co-captain Sam McCalpin. McCalpin finished in 15:05.13, taking fourth in his initial indoor 5,000-meter performance. Jack Hunter was less than a second behind, cruising in at a career-best 15:05.77 for sixth place. Ryan Kredell also turned in a top-10 finish, as the standout first-year was ninth in 15:13.27. Peter Buckley (15:49.61), Aaron Bratt (15:49.72), and David Watt (15:52.39) also all registered top 20 finishes for Haverford.
The Fords also had three runners in the 800 meters, with Sam Ditkovsky pushing right against the two-minute barrier yet again. Ditkovsky shaved a tenth of a second off his PR, crossing in 2:00.61 for 12th. Jeffrey Allen grabbed a personal-best time for 17th overall (2:01.24), while Hiro Kawakatsu was 18th (2:01.82).
In field events, Ethan Gadra burst into the top 10 with an eighth place showing in the pole vault. Gadra reached a mark of exactly four meters (13'-1.5"). Alex Reichard competed in the long jump, registering a mark of 5.6 meters (18'-4.5"). Andrew Lummus joined Reichard, clearing a distance of 4.59 meters (15'-0.75").
Men's Track & Field will now head home for the first of two consecutive home meets in the lead up to the Centennial Conference Indoor Championships. Haverford will host the McElligott Invitational on Saturday, February 15. The Fords will also send a small contingent right back to the Boston area for the David Hemery Valentine Invitational. Action in both meets is expected to commence at 10 a.m.