After showing promise against non-Ivy competitors at the Yale Invitational last Saturday, both the men’s and women’s track and field teams came up short against Ivy opponents this week.
Both teams ended Saturday’s meet against Columbia and Dartmouth in Hanover in third and last place. The men’s team scored 46 points, shy of Dartmouth’s 62 and Columbia’s 60. The women’s team scored 41 points and captured 8 second place finishes, but the team could not manage to take any of the events.
The team’s performance was highlighted by Captain Matthew Bieszard ’12, who won both the 200 and 500-meter dash. Mike Levine ’13 took first place in the weight throw for the first time this season. Levine’s performance qualified him for the ECAC DI Indoor Track and Field Championships in early March.
“Personally, I did what I had to. But at a scored meet like this, wins are more important than [personal records],” Levine said. “Our team did not perform as well as we could have. I feel like we have a much better team than what we showed this weekend.”
Dana Lindberg ’14 also was successful at Saturday’s meet. Lindberg placed second behind Bieszard in the 200-meter dash and won the long jump. He was also part of Yale’s fourth place 4 by 400 meter relay team, along with Maria Kranjac ’15 and William Rowe ’15.
In long-distance runs, the Bulldogs competed favorably against the Big Green and against the Lions, a team ranked 22nd in the nation earlier in the season. Timothy Hillas ’13 and Julian Sheinbaum ’12 took second and fourth respectively in the mile run. Sam Kirtner ’13 was bested by three Columbia runners, but his fourth place finish in the 3000-meter run at 8:29.47, his personal record, was good enough to land him a spot in the Track and Field Championships along with Levine.
Middle distance runner Chris Ramsey ’12 finished third in the 800-meter run, but he echoed Levine’s sentiments that the team effort could have improved.
“I think we were disappointed with the team results of the meet,” Ramsey said. “Our coaches challenged us to bring more intensity and energy to our competitions, and if we can do that I’m confident we’ll have better results.”
The women’s team also ended Saturday’s meet in a disappointing third place.
Alexa Monti ’12, who finished second in the 200-meter dash, said she and the Elis will use this meet as a learning experience and a motivator for meets to come.
Elle Brunsdale ’15, who competed in the long jump, was the first Bulldog to claim second on Saturday. She also placed third in the triple jump. Amanda Snajder ’14 was the only Eli to compete in the high jump and placed second. Emily Urciuoli ’14 added to the collection of silver medals when she took second in the pole vault and she tied her season best of 3.60 meters.
“Dartmouth and Columbia had a few standout girls, but overall, we had the ability to keep up with them,” Urciuoli said. “While I am glad to be more consistent with my heights, I know there is a lot of room for improvement. As the season progresses, and more competitive events arise, I think I can fix my mistakes and be a more effective point scorer.”
She added that in the coming weeks, injured runners such as Nihal Kayali ’13 and Melissa Chapman ’14 are planning to rejoin the team.
Both the men’s and women’s team will travel to Boston University on Saturday for the Terrier Invitational.