Chaffee 5th in Mile at NCAA Championships, Men's 4 x 400 9th

Complete Results

Terre Haute, IN--  Macklin Chaffee, senior and captain, ended his collegiate indoor track career on Saturday with a 5th place finish in the mile at the NCAA Championships. He ran as he has run for almost all of the season, gutsy and confident. Although his drive to the finish was matched and overcome by eventual winner Peter Kosgei of Hamilton, Macklin's move to the front of the pack was still bold and exciting.

The theme was similar for the men's 4 x 400 team, consisting of Deividas "Lithium" Seferis '09, Viktor Nagy '12, Taylor "Fitz" Fitzgerald '11, and Alex Hoerman '09. The team executed their strategy, ran boldly, but fell a bit short of realizing their lofty goals. As it was, fate was against the 4 x 400 team as Alex Hoerman took the baton in second place and was running incredibly strong through one lap before his hamstring tightened on his final lap.

Those of you who have followed the 2009 Williams indoor track season closely know that it has been a season of ups and downs, but also a season defined by the team's victory in the Division III Championships. Chaffee stressed that success above everything else after his race. "For me, it's always been about the team," said Chaffee. "D-III's was a great moment for the team, and I really think we can have an even better outdoor season." I will not quote him directly, but Eph fans should know, an eventual National Championship is on our captain's mind.

Chaffee did divluge a few details about his own race as well. "I wasn't unsatisfied but I wasn't thrilled. I did want to make an attempt at the school record, I just didn't have enough to find that extra gear that I needed." Talking about his competition, Chaffee noted, "I saw Peter [Kosgei] in the prelims and he looked really strong." Those of you who followed the Ephs drive to a third place finish in the NCAA Division III Cross-Country Championships know that Kosgei was the National Champ in the fall.

Chaffee also shared something that reflects his maturity as an athlete. "This was the first season where I really didn't improve. Going into outdoor, I realize I'm going to have to do more than just basic training. I think that I've maxed out my raw potential and now I'll really have to dedicate myself to complete training to continue to improve and achieve my goals for outdoor season. I basically have to run 61's instead of 62's [second laps]."

The 4 x 400 team may not have gotten the result they wanted, but there were still definitely bright spots. Running against some of the top competition in the country, "Lithium" ran "a perfect race", as one teammate put it, and handed off the baton tied for first place. Viktor Nagy also ran a very strong leg and Fitzgerald took off like a rocket with a very strong 200 before losing a bit of steam down the final homestretch. Alex Hoerman was in second after running a wonderful high 22 second first lap before his hamstring got the best of him. That Williams was able to finish 9th overall despite a 30 second final lap speaks volumes about the determination and strength of the team.

So the final chapter on the indoor season has been written. Thousands of miles logged, jumps taken, and shots putted. Countless PR's. A 5th and 9th place NCAA Championship finish. And the highlight of the season, victory in the Division III New England Indoor Track Championships despite a third place ranking. The snow is melting, the track is clean, and spring is in the air. The Ephs can hardly wait for the outdoor season to begin.