This past weekend the Geneseo track and field teams traveled to Boston to compete in the Boston University Terrier Classic, as both the men's and women's squads turned in classic performances, including the nation's best time this year in the men's distance medley relay.
"The Terrier Classic provides great competition coupled with an atmosphere that is very conducive to great performances," said the men's team's captain, junior Bobby Henchen. "Our team looks back on this event as a huge success."
The most outstanding performance of the weekend came from the men's distance medley relay team, which consists of freshman Lee Berube, sophomores Ryan O'Connor and Henry Potter and senior Pat Gallagher. Finishing with a time of 9 minutes, 55.22 seconds, the Knights now own the SUNYAC record and currently the fastest time in the nation in the event. Berube anchored the Knights' win as he broke a 33-year-old SUNYAC record with a fourth-place time of 8:17.29 in the 3,000 meters.
The Knights win in the DMR is something that deserves special recognition in the eyes of their peers. "Geneseo is the only Division III school to qualify for nationals," said senior women's captain Liz Montgomery. "They beat Division I schools like Brown University and American International, which is something to really be proud of."?
Montgomery had an excellent performance of her own, finishing 11th overall in the 5,000-meter race in 17:35.02, which qualified her for the NCAA meet. She will be joined by fellow senior Tim Chichester who finished 19th overall in the men's race with a time of 14:32.84.
Several school records were broken over the weekend, including one by freshman Rachel Serpe in the women's pole vault. Serpe finished with a measurement of 3.05 meters, ninth overall in the competition, and her vault was the best ever by a Geneseo athlete.
Also in the men's 4-x-400 meter relay, freshman Kevin Bronson, junior Niko Brown and sophomore Steve Fitch joined Henchen to finish with a time of 3:22.18, to set the all-time record for Geneseo.
"As a whole, this is one of the best meets I have ever been a part of while at Geneseo," Montgomery added. "I am proud of those who have qualified for the NCAA's and everyone who participated. We gave it our all in Boston, and it really showed." The Knights will be in action once again this weekend on Feb. 6 as they travel to Syracuse University.