Bates opens outdoor season with victory over two Division I teams
While most New England track programs travelled south for their season opening meets, Coach Fresh once again proved his genius when he sent his track team two hours north in late March. While the rest of New England suffered rain, wind, and freezing temperatures, Bates enjoyed ideal racing conditions in northern Maine. Bates took advantage of the sunny, warm, windless day recording great season opening times and marks, beating the Division I programs of the University of New Hampshire and the University of Maine in the process.
Highlights in the sprints included Adam “Ace” Spencer’s blazing fast 200m time of 23.25. In his return to track after a five year hiatus, Ace continues to improve every meet, proving that an old man can still run with the young pups. Tony Haeuser and Jarrett “Malibu” McKallagat opened the season with monster 110m hurdle times of 15.13 and 15.26, placing 2nd and 3rd. James Lepage and Isaiah Spofford’s 400s were also highlights. For both Lepage and Spofford, the 400 meter is not a typical distance in which they compete. Despite James moving down and Isaiah moving up in distance they succeeded, placing 2nd and 3rd respectively, running 50.33 and 50.69. Most importantly, both marks show potential for a strong 4x4 relay in the future.
In the mid-distance events, “Swayze” Corcoran ran an impressive 4:04 in the 1500m, placing second. Nick Barron also ran well, opening the season with a 1:57 800m. The B-Ingersolls also ran solid opening marks in the 1500m. Camden ran 4:11 and Myles ran 4:14.
Bates also had a lot of success in the distance events. Ken “Elmo” Whitney ran an OOUUTTSTANDING 10,000m, running 31:58 and earning himself the honor baton. Elmo opened his first 5k with an aggressive 16:06 and never slowed, negatively splitting his second half with a 15:52 5k. Tully also earned himself yet another spot on a Bates top ten all-time list, running 31:48 in the 10k for 8th all-time. In the 5k, Bates proofed its depth with five runners running under 15:50. Big Red and Andrew Wortham led the pack of Bates runners, running 15:11 and 15:13 respectively. Jag, Grimball, and Festus were the other athletes to break 15:50, each doing it for the first time outdoors. Jag ran 15:42, Grimball ran 15:43, and Festus ran 15:47. If it were not for a stomach flu that caused John “Mac” Stansel to stop and puke blood with just 800m to go, Bates would have certainly had another runner under 15:50.
Pless and Enos carried their indoor success in the throws into the outdoor season. Pless scored 21 points, placing first in all three events he competed. Enos also competed strongly, placing third in two events and sixth in another against Division I talent. Zak Kofos backed up his throwing brothers, in the Javelin, placing third with a throw of 161’ 2”.
Does Coach Fresh have a sixth sense that helps him find ideal racing conditions? Or can he control the weather? No one knows. Next meet: Fitchburg State.
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