Fitchburg State Competes At Tufts Invite

Desrochers finishes third with 17.23m weight throw; Ward paces women with a pair of PR’s

MEDFORD, Mass. (January 12, 2013) – The Fitchburg State men’s and women’s indoor track & field teams were in action this afternoon as they visited Tufts University for the 2013 Tufts Invite.

Senior Zach Desrochers (Dracut, Mass./Greater Lowell) continued his solid throwing, finishing third in the weight throw with a with a post-season toss of 17.23m. Freshman Ben Botrell added MASCAC marks in the high jump (1.82m), while senior Will Lary (Winchendon, Mass./Murdock) and sophomores Jim Quinlan (N. Andover, Mass./N. Andover), Ethan Gorecki (Winchendon, Mass./Murdock) and Michael Osborn (Vineyard Haven, Mass./Martha’s Vineyard)all turned in MASCAC marks in the 1000m with times of 2:49.04, 2:55.77, 2:48.87 and 2:53.57 respectively. Lary and Quinlan also posted MASCAC marks in the 3000m with times of 9:17.33 and 9:40.77.

On the track, freshman Tim Allen (Methuen, Mass./Central Catholic) was also solid in the 5000m, posting a personal best, MASCAC qualifying time of 16:43.77, while Maximin Rocheleau (Winchendon, Mass./Murdock) and Sam Carroll (Brockton, Mass./Brockton) finished strong in the 400m (54.73) and 800m (2:20.97) sprints.

In the field, junior Patrick Conaty (Southington, Conn./Southington) finished sixth overall in the pole vault (4.00m), while freshman Ben Bottrell added MASCAC marks in the high jump (1.81m). Senior Joshua Kaddy (Westminster, Mass./Oakmont),and freshman Akhiel Willis (Acton, Mass./Acton-Boxborough) rounded out the Falcons top field efforts in the pole vault (2.95m) and triple jump (11.54m), while Rocheleau finished 9th in the long jump, with a jump of 5.34m.

On the women’s side, freshman Elizabeth Ward (Ashby, Mass./North Middlesex) notched a pair of PR’s in the mile (5:58.43) and 1000m (3:39.50), while junior Samantha Wilkinson (Wakefield, Mass./Wakefield) ran a solid 600m sprint, notching a time of 1:46.40.

The women’s 4x200m relay team of Wilkinson, junior Stephanie Irvin (Malden, Mass./Mystic Valley), and sophomores Arthina Robert (Lynn, Mass./Lynn Voc Tech) and Rebecca McClure (Lyndeborogh, N.H./Wilton-Lyndeborogh) put forth a strong effort, posting a sixth place finish, with a time of 1:56.68.

The ladies were also solid in the field, led by McClure in the pole vault, notching a third place finish, with a vault of 2.75m. Sophomore Ebony Schuerman (Fitchburg, Mass./Fitchburg) and junior Katelyn Sletterink (Wakefield, Mass./Wakefield) rounded out the top performers on the women’s side in the long jump (4.09m) and weight throw (9.60m).

The Fitchburg State men’s and women’s indoor track & field teams return to action on Saturday as they visit Wheaton College for a meet starting at 11 a.m.