University of Massachusets Athletics
Septet Of Men's Track Captains Announced
November 09, 2010 | Men's Track & Field
Nov. 9, 2010
AMHERST, Mass. - Monday afternoon marked the excitement for seven seniors on the men's track and field squad at UMass. Head coach Ken O'Brien and his staff proclaimed a septet of seniors the official captains for the track and field squad in 2010-11, one pertaining to each event. The senior leaders include Kevin Spieler, Scott VanderMolen, Daniel Schwartz, Tyler Cotto, Daniel Barry, Daniel Wu, and Brian Tino.
"This year we have an abundance of seniors, and thus we had no trouble finding adequate leaders for the track and field team. I think this group will help us to have effective communication within the team, which hopefully will lead to excellent results and performances on the track and in the field" said O'Brien of the senior captains.
Spieler will be in charge of the throwers on the Minutemen squad this indoor and outdoor season. The versatile competitor has competed in the hammer throw, discus, and shotput over his three year career at UMass.
VanderMolen will be a co-leader of the middle distance squad along with Brian Tino. The Tully, N.Y. native was crowned a New England Champion as a member of the 4x800 meter relay squad during the 2010 outdoor campaign. Over his time as a Minuteman, VanderMolen has competed in relay events, 5,000 meter run, 800 meter run, and the 1,000 meter run. Currently the Environmental Science major holds the fifth best time in school history in the 1,000 meter indoor run (2:26.83).
Schwartz will lead the hard working multi-event team this year. The Sudbury, Mass. native posted the best season mark in the decathlon last season with 6,166 points. Schwartz has also competed in the pole vault, shotput, and 4x800 meter relay events during his three year stint in Amherst. The Psychology major competes during both the indoor and outdoor seasons.
Cotto has been one of the most prolific competitors in the hurdle events for UMass over his three career thus far. Currently, he holds the third best school time in the outdoor 110 meter hurdles (14.45), as well as the second best indoor 55 meter hurdles mark (7.41). The senior from Holliston, Mass. will exemplify his leadership qualities with the hurdlers during the indoor and outdoor seasons.
Barry is coming off a New England Championship performance during the 2010 outdoor season. The Sheffield, Mass. native was part of a 4x800 meter relay squad that placed first with a time of 7:34.39. Barry has been an integral part of the distance squad over his three year span thus far at UMass. Barry, also an outstanding cross country competitor for UMass, will lead be captain for the distance competitors.
The always motivated Wu was named captain of the jumps team for the Minutemen on Monday. The Tenafly, N.J. native is currently tied for the fourth best mark ever in UMass history in the outdoor long jump (23-5.50). Wu has excelled in the classroom as well, holding a 3.9 GPA as a Finance and Operations Management major.
Brian Tino will hold two positions as a captain this year, mainly being a co-leader of the middle distance competitors along with Scott VanderMolen; however, Tino will also be in charge of information, announcements, and the email group list. The Tewksbury, Mass. native competed in eight indoor meets last year, and qualified for the IC4A Championships as part of a 4x400 meter relay squad. Additionally in the classroom, Tino has surpassed expectations as he was awarded the prestigious Isenberg Honors Scholarship last spring for his outstanding academic performance.
The first indoor track and field meet is set for January 15 at the Sparks Sorlein Invite.
