PRINCETON, NJ - Six of the Tufts men's track team's top performers traveled to New Jersey on Friday to compete at the annual Sam Howell Invitational hosted by Princeton University. Always one of the top opportunities to post fast times in the spring, the Jumbos took advantage of the competitive meet to record some of the nation's best marks this season.
Senior Mitchell Black ran 3:50.90 in the 1,500 meters for the #2 mark in Division III as of Friday night. Ramapo's Jeremy Hernandez was also at Princeton Friday night and ran a 3:50.88 (0.02 faster than Black) for tne nation's #1 time. Black was sixth out of 49 at the race. Senior James Traester was also in the 1,500 and finished 34th with a 4:04.76 time.
In the 10,000 meters to close Friday night's action, junior Tim Nichols timed 30:12.19 for the #2 time in the nation. He was second out of 20 at the race. Jumbo senior Michael Curley ran a 30:48.11 at Princeton for the fourth-fastest time in Division III to date. Penn's Christopher Luciano won the race in 30:06.43, while Bates' Allen Sumrall had a 30:39.14 time for sixth (second among Division III).
Junior Luke O'Connor was the fastest Division III entrant in the 5,000 meters with his 14:37.19 time. It's the foruth-best mark on the NCAA qualifying list and was 11th out of 72 in the race overall.
Senior Veer Bhalla finished the 800 meters in 1:54.31 for 10th out of 51 in the race and the #21 mark in Division III for the season.
The Tufts team continues its weekend with a tri-meet at MIT with Bates on Saturday starting at 10 am.
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