Seven Wins Key Blazers in Men's Track Opener
ESSEX, Md.--The Hood College men’s track & field team opened the season with a strong performance at an unscored meet hosted on the Essex Campus of the Community College of Baltimore County. The Blazers faced Stevenson University and a smattering of unattached athletes. Essex, which restarted women’s track after a 20-year hiatus, does not field a men’s team.
Jordan Acton lowered the school record for 600-meters, covering the distance in 1:30.65, on the 10-lap to the mile track. The other record was set by Zach Keyser who put the 16-lb. shot 34’ 7.50” in finishing second.
Wins were secured by Naseem Zietoon (400-meters), Theo Jenkins (800-meters), Steven Powell (high jump), and the 4 x 800 meter relay team of Matt Dyjack, Justin Cifuentes, Chris Catalfamo and Stephen McNamara. Both sprint relay teams came home winners with Mike Beidleman, Todd Welch, Amani Simon-Chapman, Mike Richter and Jamone Davis contributing legs.
"This was a nice, low-pressure way to start the season," said head coach Brent Ayer. "We got off the bus with 45 student-athletes on Saturday. We still have a couple of holes to fill; however, with 66 athletes on the roster our depth is better than it has ever been in our five-plus year history as a varsity sport."
"The marks were recorded on a short track where we could not wear spikes. So, while I am pleased with most of what went on, I think it is reasonable to expect that we will get significantly faster as the season goes on," concluded Ayer.
The Blazers next compete on December 10 at the Dickinson College Invitational.
