History repeated itself this weekend. Two weeks ago, the Big Green men finished first at the Brown Invitational, while their female counterparts snagged second. At the University of New Hampshire Wildcat Invitational on Saturday, Dartmouth tracked and field gave an encore performance.
The men dominated their two opponents -- Quinnipiac University and the University of New Hampshire -- accumulating 158 total points and winning 11 of the 20 contested events. Three of those wins belonged to the Abdur-Rahim twins, both seniors.
Ahmad Abdur-Rahim, who was named New England men's track and field athlete of the week for Division I after two firsts and a second at Brown, again won two events. In the long jump, Ahmad beat out his next closest competitor by nearly a foot, leaping 22-7.75. He also won the 200 meter dash in 22.63 seconds. Brother Mustafa claimed victory in the 110 meter hurdles, finishing in 14.82 seconds.
Among the others winners were Ikechi Ogbonna '06, who took the 100 meter dash in 11.50 seconds, and Zack Strong '05, who held on to win 5000 meter run by two seconds. The 4 x 400 relay team also came out of UNH with a win.
Although the women also won 11 of the 20 events, the team finished a frustrating 15 points behind New Hampshire. However, there was still plenty of good news.
Mattie Chatterton-Richmond '05 won the 200 meter dash in 26.83 seconds and the long jump with a leap of 17-10.75. Kelsey Wiegmann '06 won both the high jump at 5-05 and the javelin, throwing 134-06 feet. Jamila Smith, the Big Green women's third double-winner of the meet, took first in the discus and the hammer throw.
The women's 4 x 400 also finished in Dartmouth's favor, a victory savored by all members of the team.
"Even though we didn't exactly pull through with outstanding performances," Wiegmann said, "there is inevitably so much team spirit for the 4x400. It's one of the greatest feelings to be running the race and hear everyone on the sidelines cheering you on. Both the guys' and girls' teams won the 4x400, which was a great way to end the meet."
Dartmouth track and field hopes to continue its wave of success at the Penn Relays, which begins today and will continue through Saturday. For those who are not traveling to Pennsylvania, Dartmouth will host its own invitational this coming Sunday.
"I'm always excited for Penns," Ahmad Abdur-Rahim said. "It's just a wonderful meet, but most of the team is competing this weekend here at the Dartmouth Invite for Senior Day. I encourage Dartmouth people to get out there and show enthusiasm for the last home meet of their seniors' careers. I think between the Penn Relays and the meet here, that people are ready to perform at a high level."
