University of Massachusets Athletics
Men's Track To Compete At New England Championships
February 25, 2015 | Men's Track & Field
BOSTON, Mass. -
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University of Massachusetts Men's Track & Field Preview
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Date | Time
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Friday, February 27 | 10:00 AM
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Location
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Boston, Mass.
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Team Records
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Massachusetts Men's Track & Field Record Book
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Social Media
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@UMassAthletics | @UMass_XC_TF | UMass Cross Country/Track and Field
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Meet Info
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http://www.neicaaa.org/
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On Your Mark, Get Set, Go!
Friday, February 27 marks the start of the New England Championship. The men have had a week following the Atlantic 10 to rest and gear up for this two-day competition in Boston, Mass. UMass will face off against the toughest competition the region has to offer. Start time is slated for 10:00 AM at Boston University.
Last Time Out
UMass finished sixth at the Atlantic 10 Championship in Kingston, RI. A huge victory of the night came from Adam Bonfilio's performance in the heptathlon. Bonfilio finished fourth overall with 4,644 points--beating his own UMass second place all-time program mark. Right behind, Nick Ingham placed fifth with 4,603 points. In seventh place, Greg Copeland rounded out the UMass scorers, taking home 4,471 points and setting the fourth all-time UMass program mark. Benjamin Groleau took fifth in the mile run, running 4 minutes, 17.04-seconds. Michael McNaughton finished seventh overall in the 800 meter run, finishing at 1 minute, 56.7-seconds. Both the Minutemen's 4x800 meter and 4x400 meter relay teams finished in top-eight positions. Alexander Finestone, Stephen Ness, Michael Maldari, and McNaughton ran a combined finish of 7 minutes, 52.53-seconds to take sixth in the 4x800 meter relay. UMass' 4x400 relay team took seventh overall. Peter Farlow, Patrick Farnham, Zachary Blum, and Deion Arneaud together finished in 3 minutes, 25.73-seconds. In the field, Arneaud took seventh in triple jump, leaping 43 feet, 9.25-inches. Brett Davies finished seventh in shot put, throwing 46 feet, 5.25-inches. In pole vault, Greg Copeland nabbed sixth place, leaping 14 feet, 3.25-inches.
Fallen Records
800 meter run-- Michael McNaughton ran a time of 1:52.50 to break a 27-year-old school record set by Bill Stewart in 1988 (1:52.58). The performance was good for 12th at the meet and qualified him for the IC4A and New England Championships.
Post-Season Qualifiers
Adam Bonfilio, 60 meter hurdles--IC4A qualifier
Michael McNaughton, 800 meter run--IC4A and New England qualifier
Michael McNaughton, Zachary Blum, Stephen Ness, and Cory Thomas; 4x800 meter run--IC4A qualifier
Top Eight In Atlantic 10
Michael McNaughton; 800 meter run--ranked fourth in Atlantic 10
Michael McNaughton, Zachary Blum, Stephen Ness, and Cory Thomas; 4x800 meter run--ranked fourth in Atlantic 10
Michael McNaughton, Zachary Blum, Stephen Ness, and Cory Thomas; distance medley relay--ranked second in Atlantic 10
Minutemen On The Run
The 2015 season's freshman class is filled with new promising new talent. Familiar faces return from cross country to begin their debut season in indoor track. This includes Samuel Conway, Paul Maurais, Jay McMahon, and Alex Sullivan. These Minutemen are expected to compete primarily in mid-distance races and will be an asset to the team.
The distance corner will be led by a slew of talented veteran harriers. Leading the way for cross country returnees are Blake Croteau, Ben Groleau, Daniel Sheldon and Ben Thomas. Ben Thomas dominated the cross country courses in the 2014 season. Last year, mid distance runner Groleau won the bronze medal in the mile run, earning the UMass third all-time mark with his time of 4:07.47.
Many of the team's distance runners will help add depth in the team's 4x800 and distance medley relay quads as well as compete in shorter races as low as the 800 meter run.
The Minutemen graduated Zack Hildenbrandt and Stephen Bigelow last spring, losing a vital talent in both sprint and relays. But Pat Farnham and Zack Grube stay on to continue their success in sprinting events, both contributing individually and playing a vital role in relays. Last year's lone freshman sprinter Deion Arneaud returns for his sophomore year as a Minuteman.
In mid distance events, Stephen Ness, Alexander Finestone, Groleau, and Michael Maldari, will be joined by seven new freshman faces in the 2015 season. Despite the young composition, the mid-distance runners offer stiff competition.
Talent In The Field
In the field, the Minutemen are led by a group of seniors consisting of Brendan Cavallaro, Peter Farlow, Nate Abraham, and Greg Copeland.
Copeland returns for his senior season as the UMass pole vaulter and will continue to refine his skills after posting UMass top-three marks in the 2014 indoor track season.
Lone sophomore thrower Brett Davies who proved to be a solid competitor in throwing events returns for his second season. Three new freshman join the UMass jumping squad. These men join seasoned jumpers Peter Farlow, Isaiah Fariel, Lamont Gooden, Zachary Blum, and Deion Arneaud.
One athlete Coach Jackson has been particularly proud of since he arrived at UMass in 2013 is Nick Ingham. The junior will continue his success as one of the best multi event competitors in the conference. Last year, Ingham achieved the UMass record in the heptathlon with 4,731 points. Adam Bonfilio returns to defend his second place all-time UMass mark in the heptathlon. The Minutemen host a field of four multi athletes.
