University of Massachusets Athletics
University of Massachusetts
Larry Ellis Invitational
Three PR's For Men's Track At Princeton
April 24, 2011 | Men's Track & Field
April 24, 2011
PRINCETON, N.J. - Three personal records, two IC4A Championship qualifying performances, and a top five school mark were the lead standouts on day two of the Larry Ellis Invitational for the UMass men's track and field team. This was the second-of-three trips to Princeton, N.J. and Weaver Stadium for the Minutemen this spring. There was no team score in a meet that featured teams from across the Northeast region of the United States.
Making his name known once again on Saturday was senior Sean Busch in the pole vault. The A-10 indoor pole vault Champion tied his personal record and the second best mark in school history on the latter day of the Larry Ellis Invite, by reaching a height of 15-9. The mark also was good enough to qualify him for the IC4A Championships, a meet set to be held at Weaver Stadium on the weekend of May 13 and 14.
The 400 meter distance was a string of luck for the Minutemen on Saturday. Paul Grafov, Chris Greene, and Aaron Araujo all set new personal records between the 400 meter dash and 400 meter hurdles. Grafov, the sophomore transfer, ran a 49.42 in the 400 meter dash, placing 16th overall. Greene and Araujo, both solid freshman for coach Ken O'Brien, placed 33rd and 10th respectively in the 400 meter dash and 400 meter hurdles, with times of 50.37 and 53.99. Araujo's time was a mere 0.15 off from qualifying for the IC4A Championships.
The daring duo of Daniel Wu and Zachary Koncki proved successful again this weekend. The former of the two qualified for the IC4A Meet with a jump of 23-4.50 (fourth place) in the long jump, while Koncki ran the 110IMH in 15.43, placing 22nd in a field of 41 competitors.
Rounding out the day's noticeable performances were freshman Quinn Ryder and sophomore Evan Donadt in the 100 meter dash and 400 meter hurdles. The North Easton, Mass. native, Ryder, placed 19th in his event with a time of 11.30. Donadt followed in the hurdles with a time of 54.78, good enough for 15th overall.
The Minutemen return to action next Saturday, April 30, for the UMass Pre-Conference Meet. This will be the third and final home meet of the season, as action is set to commence at 11:30 am.
