University of Massachusets Athletics
University of Massachusetts
Coaches Invitational
Minutemen Compete At URI Coaches Invitational
February 08, 2015 | Men's Track & Field
KINGSTON, RI - The Minutemen put out a good showing Saturday at the URI Coaches vs Domestic Violence Invitational. Team efforts earned the UMass men 9 top-eight finishes and an 8th of 9 place team finish overall. Rhode Island took gold as a team with 134 points. A highlight of the day was Ben Groleau. The junior took fifth overall in the 1 mile run with a 4 minute, 18.64-second performance. His finish earned him an 8th place rank in the Atlantic 10.
In shorter events, Adam Bonfilio had an IC4A-qualifying showing in the 60 meter hurdles. Bonfilio finished the event seventh at 8.85-seconds.
Sophomore Michael Maldari had a standout performance in the 800 meter run. Maldari took 8th with a time of 1 minute, 59.97-seconds. In the 1,000 meter run, Adam Selsman finished 8th as well. Selseman accomplished this with his 2 minute, 3.49-second performance. Ben Groleau took fifth overall in the 1 mile run. His 4 minute, 18.64-second performance earned him 8th rank in the Atlantic 10 and was just shy of a New England qualifying time.
The Minutemen found success in the relay competitions. The UMass distance medley took fourth overall. Benjamin Groleau, Michael Maldari, Daniel Sheldon, and Eric Gironda accomplished this feat with their 10 minute, 54.13-second combined finish. The 4x400 meter relay team, comprised of Patrick Farnham, Alexander Finestone, Zachary Blum, and Joshua Arons took 8th in the 4x400 meter relay competition. The men ran a combined finish of 3 minutes, 33.06-seconds.
In field events, Greg Copeland and Nicholas Gemino shined. Copeland took 8th in long jump with his 20 foot, 5.25-inch leap. In pole vault, the two men tied. Copeland and Gemino tied for sixth in pole vault with a 13 foot, 9.25-inch leap.
Next up for the Minutemen comes the Atlantic 10 Championship. The two day competition begins Saturday, February 21st, 2015 in Kingston, RI. Day one of competition is slated to begin at 10:00 AM.
