Northampton, MA--In a non-scoring meet, several Ephs notched qualifying standards at the Smith Winter Classic on Saturday. Competition was casual with only five teams present and in many events the winner was not closely contested.
It was an opportunity to shake off some of the off-season rust. Maybe earn a qualifying standard early in the season to alleviate the pressures of racing later on. Or, for others, a chance to get the competitive juices flowing a month before the second meet of the season.
Edgar Kosgey '10 and Josephat Koima '12 highlighted a slate of solid performances by the Ephs. Just two weeks removed from finishing first and second for the Ephs, respectively, at the NCAA Championships in cross-country, Kosgey and Koima impressed again at Smith. Both men ran under 15:05, thereby earning the All-New Englands qualifier in the 5000. Still, Kosgey was hoping for a better race given his impressive shape from cross-country season and stressed that he hoped to be much faster in future races.
Cullen Roberts '10 also took advantage of his base from cross-country season, running 8:56.39 in the 3000. His team barely bested the Division III New England qualifying standard of 8:57. Most impressively, Roberts ran his final lap in just 31 seconds. Few in attendance thought Roberts had a shot at the standard when, after his 14th lap on the 200m indoor track, the clock read 8:25. Roberts lead a pack of nine Ephs who all finished in the top 10 in the 3K.
Jamaal Johnson '12 qualified for the finals in the 55m dash, where he finsihed 6th with a time of 6.84 sec. Racing in Eph purple and gold for the first time, Jabu Blyden finished 3rd in the 55m hurdles, running 8.27 sec.
Isaac Nicholson '11 and Chris Fogler '13 finsihed 2nd and 3rd, respectively, in the high jump, both jumping 1.86m. Nicholson was also 2nd in the long jump with a fine early season effort of 6.41m.
Rusty Cowher '12 just missed out on an All-New Englands standard in the weight throw, but managed to grab a 4th place finish as well as a 2nd in the shot. Cowher continues to improve as he begins his second season with what figures to be a very stong throwing contigent.
It's a month at least before the Ephs compete again. In the meantime, stringent focus on practices, studies, and general well-being summarizes the Ephs agenda.
