MEDFORD – The Tufts University men's track & field team opened its 2018 season by hosting the Tufts Invitational at the Gantcher Center today. The meet was unscored, but head coach Joel Williams' Jumbos came away with victories in five events.
In the 200 meter dash, junior Anthony Kardonsky took first place with a time of 22.59 seconds. He also ran a strong 7.03 seconds in the 60-meter dash to finish as the runner up. Both marks are ranked in the top 20 nationally as the indoor season gets underway. His 200 time was converted to a faster 22.20 for national ranking purposes whereas the 2018 NCAA Championship will be competed on a banked track. Kardonsky's 200 is 12th nationally tonight, while his 60 time (not converted) is 20th.
Senior co-captain Drew DiMaiti, who was third in the 200 event with a 22.91 today, took first place for himself in the 400-meter dash with a time of 50 seconds flat. That is the fourth-best mark in the nation early on, converting down to 49.22 seconds.
In the 1,000 meter run juniors Christian Swenson (2:32.21) and Hiroto Watanabe (2:33.75) took first and third respectively. As did junior Josh Etkind (8.57) and freshman Avery Barnes (8.92) in the 60-meter hurdles.
Jumbos swept the podium positions in the long jump with freshman Michael Mecha coming in first with a jump of 22-0 3/4 (6.72 meters), freshman Matthew Manteiga in second with 21-6 1/4 (6.56 meters) distance and senior Linus Gordon in third with a 20-9 1/4 (6.33 meters) best effort. Mecha had a solid collegiate debut by also placing third in the triple jump at 44-11 1/2 (13.70m). Both of those marks are in the national top 40 tonight.
Senior All-American Stefan Duvivier opened the new season by clearing 6-6 (1.98m) in the high jump, tied for 15th nationally.
Junior Rory Buckman came in second in the 3,000 meter run with a time of 8:53.90. Sophomore Kevin Quisumbing took second for the shot put with a 48-2 1/2 (14.69 meters) mark that is 32nd nationally.
In the relays, Jumbos Watanabe, junior Thomas Doyle, Swenson and sophomore Matt D'Anieri combined on a 3:30.02 in the 4x400, converting down to a 3:26.73 that ranks 31st.
Tufts will compete next on Jan. 20 at the Bowdoin Invitational.
#
