Rookie Power Paces MIT At Coed Spring Invitational
April 21, 2007
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. - MIT men's track and field continued its push toward the postseason with a solid showing at the MIT Coed Spring Invitational. Featuring 16 teams from around the region, Saturday's non-scoring meet was highlighted by fantastic weather conditions and several outstanding performances from the Engineers.
Rookie Stephen Morton continued his sensational start, setting a new freshman record for the program en route to a first-place finish in the 400-meter dash. Morton broke the tape in 49.02 despite competing in the event for the first time. The outstanding first-year sprinter followed up with a second-place finish in the long jump later in the afternoon (21'7.5").
As usual, MIT found strength in numbers among its middle distance and distance contingent. Freshman William Fedus won a race down the backstretch to prevail in a hotly contested 800m with a time of 1:56.11. The Engineers also picked up fourth and fifth in the event after strong clips by Bill Phipps (1:57.45) and Matt Bieniosek (1:57.49). The Cardinal and Gray also secured victories in the steeplechase and 10,000-meter events. Rookie Johannes Schneider crushed the field en route to a 30-second victory in the steeple, while senior Eric Khatchadourian led a sweep of the top five places in the 10k after blazing through the line in 31:08.23.
The Engineers authored one other event victory in Saturday's meet as Omari Stephens bested teammate Greg Tao as the duo finished 1-2 in the pole vault. Both competitors leaped 14'8.75".
