HUNTINGTON, WV – The Golden Eagles are the 2020 MEC Indoor Track and Field Champions. This year was the first year for the Indoor Track and Field Championship and the men took home the trophy.
Day One
On the third event of day one, Junior Josh Saunders was seeded fourth for the long jump and pulled an upset placing first with a distance of 7.01m. His teammate David Morales-Perez finished 7th overall with a distance of 6.65m. Nathan Stout had an impressive weight throw of 16.78m, which allowed him to place third overall. Oiseowemi Aghomon finished sixth with a distance of 14.87m.
Later that evening, the men ran the 5K. Jack Mastandrea ran a NCAA Provisional 14:16.36. His teammate, Kyle Hinson placed fifth with a time of 14:53.34.
In the final event of the night Charleston won the distance medley relay with a time of 10:14.76. The team consisted of Connor Kaufman, Darius Brooker, Tre Brooks, and Chris Barbera.
Charleston held a lead over UNC Pembroke going into day two.
UC's day two started well with Nathan Stout throwing an NCAA Provisional 16.62m. First year Kellen Tropeck started his career off well finishing fourth with a distance of 14.62m.
In the triple jump, UC scored a total of 10 points by way of three jumpers. Josh Saunders (4th), David Morales-Perez (6th), Kevin Olivas (7th), were able to nearly negate the 11 points garnered by UNCP.
At 3:10 P.M. the running events commenced. In the 60-meter hurdles, Dezmon Bradshaw placed 7th overall with a time of 8.51.
Starting with the 60-meter dash, the points began to flow. Aaron Banks sprinted to an NCAA Provisional 6.78. Jaylond Butler finished 4th with a time of 6.95. Seniors Darius Booker and Ronnie Fitzgerald, attained crucial points by running 7.04 and 7.31 respectfully.
First Year Chris Barbera picked off four runners to finish less than a second behind Joshua Chepkesir of UNCP, the MEC Runner of the Year (4:12.62). Also picking up points in the mile were Mastandrea and Colorado native Connor Kaufman.
All-American wide receiver in football Michael Strachan set an NCAA Provisional in the 400 meters. He ran a 47.99. Daniel Mullenax finished 5th.
The 800 meter was up next. Tre Brooks made the podium with a 1:54.01, which was good for second.
Banks obtained his second NCAA Provo of the day by winning the 200 with a time of 21.66. Fitzgerald and Strachan finished 4th and 5th.
The last distance race of the Championships was the 3K. UC's Jack Mastandrea, Kyle Hinson, and David Cecchi finished 3, 4, and 5 to seal the team victory. UC also would go on to win the 4x400 relay with a time of 3:18.66
Barbera not only had a fantastic meet, but he was also named MEC Freshman of the Year. Nick Bias was voted by his peers as the Coach of the Year after leading the Golden Eagles to the title.
Day One Results
https://results.kandjtiming.com/meets/5295/events
Results of day two
| 60 m |
|
Aaron Banks |
6.78 / 1 st (currently 13th in the nation) |
| 60 m |
|
Jaylond Butler |
6.95 / 4th |
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| 60 m |
|
Darius Booker |
7.04/ 7th |
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| 60 m |
|
Ronnie Fitzgerald |
7.31 / 8th |
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| 60 m hurdles |
Dezmon Bradshaw |
8.51 / 7th |
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| 200 m |
|
Aaron Brooks |
21.66 / 1st (26th in the nation) |
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| 200 m |
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Ronnie Fitzgerald |
22.18 / 4th |
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| 200 m |
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Michael Strachan |
22.19 / 5th |
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| 400 m |
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Michael Strachan |
47.99 1st (21st in the nation) |
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| 400 m |
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Daniel Mullenax |
50.41 / 5th |
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| 800 m |
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Tre Brooks |
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1:54.01 / 2nd |
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| 800 m |
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Anthony Bradford |
1:59.27 / 9th |
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| 800 m |
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Chris Barbera |
2:00.68 / 11th |
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| 800 m |
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Trent Sayre |
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2:16.25 15th |
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| 1 Mile |
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Chris Barbera |
4:23.57 / 2nd |
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| 1 Mile |
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JacK Mastandrea |
4:15.61 / 3rd |
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| 1 Mile |
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Connor Kaufman |
4:22.57 / 7th |
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| 1 Mile |
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Trent Sayre |
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4:35.96 / 14th |
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| 3,000 |
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Jack Mastandrea |
8:30.48 /3rd |
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| 3,000 |
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Kyle Hinson |
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8:31.07 / 4th |
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| 3,000 |
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David Cecch |
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8:39.0 / 5th |
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| 3,000 |
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Connor Kaufman |
9:18.72 / 14th |
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| 5,000 |
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Jack Mastandrea |
14:16.36 / 2nd (currently 9th in the nation) |
| 5,000 |
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Kyle Hinson |
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14:53.34 / 5th |
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| 5,000 |
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David Cecchi |
15:11.53 / 9th |
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| 5,000 |
|
Cameron Lee |
15:25.72 / 11th |
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| Long Jump |
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Josh Saunders |
7.01m /1st |
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| Long Jump |
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David Morales-Perez |
6.65m / 7th |
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| Shot put |
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Nathan Stout |
16.62m / 1st (22nd in the nation) |
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| Shot put |
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Kellen Tropeck |
14.62m / 4th |
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| Triple Jump |
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Josh Saunders |
13.87m / 4th |
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| Triple Jump |
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David Morales-Perez |
13.57m / 5th |
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| Triple Jump |
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Kevin Olivas |
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13.45m / 6th |
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| Weight Throw |
Nathan Stou |
16.78m / 3rd |
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| Weight Throw |
Oiseowemi Aghomon |
14.87m / 6th |
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| Weight Throw |
Kellen Tropeck |
14.34m / 9th |
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| Heptathlon |
|
Andrew Cree |
7.32 / 2nd |
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| Heptathlon |
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Jared Kacor |
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7.60 / 9th |
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| Heptathlon long jump |
Jared Kacor |
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5.59m / 6th |
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| Heptathlon long jump |
Andrew Cree |
5.43 / 7th |
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