Patchogue, NY - The College of Mount Saint Vincent men's and women's track teams kicked off their first outdoor season with seven finishes inside the top-5 at the Spring Opener hosted by St. Joseph's College on Long Island. Although conditions were bitter and blustery, the Dolphins pulled through with performances that were both encouraging and prescriptive for the next several weeks of training ahead.
Head Coach Andrew Gangemi says, "I'm proud of how the men and women competed today. I am also hopeful for what the future holds for our team. If the meet had been scored, I think the women would have done really well."
Sophomore Maiya Foster-Daniels took home two 2nd place performances in the 800m run and the 4x400m relay. She ran the fastest leg of the relay and has demonstrated for scoring leading the women squad as she put up the lone top-five result for the women. Freshman Catherine Jones finished 5th in the 100m dash and established a new school record. With four teammates entered in the same event, there's no guarantee that the record will remain hers for very long. Junior Deidra Cott wasn't far behind Jones in the 100m dash and continues to show promise for the women every time she steps on the track.
Assistant Coach Noah Kaminsky says, "It's not clear to me who will snatch the women's 100m school record by the end of the season. I want to encourage friendly intrasquad competition because it will only better prepare us for our conference championship in late April."
Sophomore Ariana Bolourchi was the only sprinter who tackled three different events today, contributing to both the 4x100m and 4x400m relays. Her background in the sport will most certainly provide great depth for the women's team in all sprint events.
On the men's side, junior Mark Mofus made his debut on the track with back to back 400 meter races in both the individual dash and the 4x400m relay. Mofus delivered the fastest split in the relay, which unofficially improved upon a personal best established earlier in his individual competition. After his second 400m of the day, exhausted but proud, Mofus noted, "If I knew then what I know now, I would have run my first 400 much faster." His coaches agree. There's no substitute for what one learns from running their first 400m. Freshmen Will Dennis and Matthew Jones both captured personal best performances in the 1500m run. Andrew Carrasquillo ran a tough 800 meter/4x400 double in his first collegiate competition.
Next Saturday, the men and women travel upstate to Mount Saint Mary's College for more action on the track. As the Dolphins' first season gets underway, stay tuned as the story unfolds.
