Men’s and women’s track and field continue to set records

The men’s and women’s track and field teams traveled to Boston, MA, last Friday to compete in the David Hemery Valentine Invitational at Boston University. Both teams looked eager to carry their momentum from the past invitationals into this one.

Senior Nicholas DiMaria highlighted the men’s performance as he broke his third record this season. After setting new records in the 300 meter and 500 meter races earlier this season, DiMaria ran a 49.13 second 400 meter dash, surpassing the previous school record of 49.40 seconds. With this phenomenal performance, DiMaria climbed into the top 6 for both the 200 and 400 meter race nationally.

Junior Amar Bindra followed in suit and set two new personal records with 22.74 seconds in the 200 meter and 49.88 second in the 400 meter to win his section. Bindra’s outstanding races inspired his fellow teammates, including Jonathan Scamardella and David Springstead. Both individuals dominated in the high jump with Scamardella winning his final and Springstead finishing tied for 13th. Prior to his incredible high jump performance, Springstead set a new personal record in the 60 meter dash of 8.84 seconds, which was good enough to place 20th.

The record breaking did not stop there either. Sophomore Enis Rama cleared 4.35 meters, crushing his personal record and finishing in 17th. The Ducks 4×400 medley team, comprised of Daniel Kaba, Trevor LaDue, Bindra, and DiMaria, ran a 3:22:63 (minute:seconds:milliseconds), breaking their season best. They finished in 26th place and moved to 10th in the Atlantic region.

The men’s team was not the only team shattering records. The women’s 4×400 medley team, made up of freshmen Liana Meyer and Laura Mathews, junior Erica O’Kelly, and senior Gina Dello Russo, found their way to the top of the podium after a grueling race. Russo moved the team from last to first in the last 400 meters of the race. Impressive efforts from each individual helped them set a new personal record of 4:02:69, which beat their previous record by three whole seconds. They now boast the second best time in the Middle Atlantic Conference and the ninth best in the Atlantic region.

Both teams look to continue their dominance in their next meet this upcoming weekend. Athletes will compete in the Last Chance Meet in New York City to prepare for the Middle Atlantic Conference Championships and hopefully qualify for the NCAA Championships.