The independent student newspaper of Northeastern University

The Huntington News

The independent student newspaper of Northeastern University

The Huntington News

The independent student newspaper of Northeastern University

The Huntington News

Men’s Track ‘ Field: Throwers carry NU against Albany

By Adam Riglian

Friday’s Great Dane Classic showcased some fine performances from individual throwers and runners, but as senior Derek Anderson put it, “not a single coach or athlete will ever be satisfied with a fifth place finish.” coach Sherman Hart also noted that while a team always wants to win, he only brought 10 men to this meet, compared with the 30 men on the winning Rutgers team. The larger Rutgers team earned 134 points while the Huskies garnered 51.

The best performances of the meet were seen in the throwing circle. Anderson took home 20 of the team’s 51 points in the shot put and weight throw. In both events, his throws qualified him for the ECAC/IC4A track championships.

Qualifying was not all Anderson accomplished at the Classic; he also left his mark on the event permanently. His throw in the shot put furthered the meet record (which he already held) by nearly two feet. The weight throw record, formerly held by University of Albany thrower Eric Opuana, was shattered by more than six feet.

“It’s exciting; it’s indicative that my hard work is translating into good performances, especially in the weight where I don’t throw with great technique and rely more on athleticism and strength,” Anderson said.

The 1,000-meter meet record held by former Northeastern runner Thomas Pratt was broken by four runners at this year’s meet. The old mark of 2:31.57 is replaced with one nearly two seconds faster by Southern Connecticut State runner Collin Walsh.

Freshman Nate Hunter and junior Conrad Dalton both qualified for the ECAC/IC4A championships in the shot put and 500-meter, respectively. Hunter continues progress in his debut season, increasing his distance this week while taking third in the highly-competitive, 14-team meet. Dalton took second in his event, finishing the race one-half second under the qualifying time.

Junior Christian Tirella narrowly missed the qualifying standard by one-tenth of a second, finishing fifth in the 400-meter. With a laugh, Hart said, “Christian was too pumped up for the meet, but he will qualify soon.”

Aaron Hill also narrowly missed qualification, but took home second in the pole vault. The 4×400 meter relay team finished seventh in the meet. Hart said he is still looking for the four runners on his team with the best chemistry, adding sophomore Jonathan Watkins into the mix this week. He said he didn’t worry about the seventh place finish, merely stating that he is just gearing up his team for the CAA meet.

The theme of this meet was preparation for the future.

“I only brought 10 guys to work them more for the future,”

Hart said. He did, however, promise that his team will be ready to win next week’s home meet.

On, Jan. 27, Northeastern hosts the Reebok Boston Indoor Games, the team’s only official home meet, not counting the non-scoring Husky Carnival.

“We’ll be right in there to win next meet,” Hart said, adding they will most likely get a boost in sprints from junior Obaro Emenike, who is likely to return next meet.

The track team was saddened with unfortunate news this week, Emenike’s father was killed in a car accident. He took the week off, but informed Hart that the best thing for him is to get back on the track.

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