By Adam Riglian
A short-handed men’s track team outperformed expectations at Saturday’s Great Dane Classic in New York City, taking sixth place out of 22 teams with a combined score of 46.5.
“We really ran well, but our team was hurting,” said head coach Sherman Hart. “We were like the walking wounded out there.”
Hart’s assessment of his team was no overstatement, as the list of injured runners includes the team’s brightest stars.
Junior sprinter Jonathan Watkins, junior hurdler Jack Sherman and senior mid-distance runner Jose Fernandez were unable to compete, while senior sprinter Conrad Dalton ran despite being banged up.
Nonetheless, the 46.5 team points they scored is only 4.5 points shy of the 51 they scored in last year’s Great Dane Classic, with a much healthier team and a smaller field of opponents.
Sophomore thrower Nate Hunter picked up the team’s only individual event win, taking the shot put with a throw of 17.18 meters.
Captain Christian Tirella breezed a 50 flat in the 400-meter, but came back as anchor of the 4×400-meter relay team, running a 48 flat.
In the 500-meter, freshman sprinter Jonathan Hall turned in his best performance of the season, winning his heat and earning third place with a 1:04.32. His time qualifies him for East Regionals.
Hart said his team would have been good for quite a few more points if the full team had competed, but his emphasis remains the same: get healthy now, and make sure the team is ready for the outdoor season.
“If they can go next week [at the Reebok Boston Indoor Games] then they can compete,” Hart said. “If they need a week to rest, than they can take it.”
Next week’s Boston Indoor Games is one of the few Northeastern home meets, which Hart said is exciting for the team.
“They are like the Indianapolis Colts, they play well at home,” Hart said.
There is no way to be certain who will run next week, but Hart said no one has yet seen all the cards this team has up its sleeve.
The team’s next meet is Friday at the Reggie Lewis Center in Roxbury at 4 p.m. It will feature top college competition as well as former Olympian medalists.
