The men's track team stepped back into competition last Saturday hosting the University of Vermont and the University of Connecticut at home.
The members of the men's team have reason to be pleased with their performances as they not only stepped up individually, but also won the meet, something they were not expected to do.
Two weeks ago at the championship round of the New England Cup, the men finished third behind Brown and the same strong UConn team who visited Dartmouth's Leverone Fieldhouse this past weekend.
Not this time. Not in their backyard. Permission denied.
According to Ryan Donovan '96, before the meet co-Captain Brian Barry '96 reminded the team that Leverone was their house and that they were in charge.
"UConn has won this meet the last three years, and we were shooting to beat them. The team was really pumped up," Donovan said.
Powered by nine first place finishes, Dartmouth won the meet by almost 20 points finishing with a score of 85. UConn followed with 66.5, and UVM brought up the rear with 27.5.
Greg Johnston '99 led the charge with wins in the 55 meter dash, 200 meter dash, and the high jump. His time of 23.15 in the 200 was over a half a second better than that of the second place finisher. Johnston has been a steady performer for the Big Green all season.
The jumpers were also a bright spot in the meet. Lane Burks '97, a double winner, took the triple jump and the long jump, his specialties. Dave Bensinger '98 fared well in the same events, placing second and fourth respectively. Steve Clark '97 and John Fernquest '98 were second and third in the high jump.
Thrower Alex Ghanotakis '97 won the weight throw, and Damon Blechen '98 took third in the shot put.
On the track, Eric Szegda '97 took second place in the 55 meter dash with a time of 6.81, and came in third in the 55 meter hurdles.
Other winners for the Big Green included Ian Campbell '99 in the 55 meter hurdles with a time of 7.89, Wayne Burwell '97 in the 400 meter dash and Jim Tuxbury '97 in the 800 meter run.
In a close race, Barry copped second place in the 500 meter run with his time of 1:06.38.
The distance runners also fared well in their events. Tim Farrell '96, Michael Fortier '97, and Garrett Jensen '99 took second, third and fourth place in the mile run, racking up some important points.
In the 1,000 meter run, Donovan finished second with a time of 2:32.03, and Marc McDonald running the 3,000 meter run in 8:41.40 placed third.
