University of Massachusets Athletics
University of Massachusetts
UConn Invitational
Vercollone Climbs Into School's Top Five At UConn Invite
April 03, 2010 | Men's Track & Field
April 3, 2010
STORRS, Conn. - The UMass men's track and field team saw their first outdoor action of the 2010 campaign on Saturday as they traveled south for the UConn Invitational. The Minutemen, who had incredible 70 degree weather on opening day, proved for a solid showing with six New England Championship qualifiers, one IC4A qualifier, and one school top five mark.
Leading the way for the Minutemen was senior thrower, Chris Vercollone. Not only did he qualify for the New England and IC4A Championships in the javelin, he also set the fifth best mark in the event in Massachusetts history. Throwing a distance of 196-03, Vercollone beat out the entire field of competition to notch first place.
Carrying his New England and IC4A qualifying marks over from the indoor season, Zachary Koncki continued his dominance as he qualified for the New England Outdoor Championships in both the long jump and 110 meter hurdles. In the field event, the sophomore jumped a distance of 22-09.00 good enough for first place, while in the sprinting event he grabbed third place, crossing the line at 15.62.
Another dominating field performer was David McKenna in the discus throw. Falling into seventh place, McKenna set a mark of 149-09 on Saturday, good enough to qualify for the New England meet. Atlantic 10 Champion, Sean Busch, was out on the course once again for the Minutemen as he qualified for the New England Championships in the pole vault with a sixth place finish and a height of 14-09.00.
Wasting no time after taking the indoor season off, junior Sean Duncan also qualified for the New England Championships in the steeplechase with a time of 9:31.11. Duncan's mark provided him with a solid second place finish.
After not hosting a meet since the fall cross country season, the Minutemen will finally return home for one-of-two outdoor meets to be hosted in Amherst this season. UMass will participate in the UMass Nine-Way Meet on Saturday, Apr.10. Competition is set to begin promptly at 11:30 am.
