WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. -- Competing without several of their top distance runners, a consistent drizzle and cold temperatures, not even several soundings from a horn signalling a lightning storm could stop the Eph men from rolling to their 22nd consecutive Little Three Championship. On a day in which unfavorable conditions prevented any spectacular times or distances, the Ephs nevertheless fought throughout the day, leading the meet in points from start to finish. Right from the gun of the 4x100, which the Ephs won handily, Williams defended their home track. The Ephs scored 187 points to Amherst's 115 and Wesleyan's 83.
The previous day, seven Eph distance athletes competed at the Larry Ellis Invitational in Princeton, NJ. Two athletes, Brian Cole '11 and Connor Kamm '10, achieved automatic NCAA qualifiers. Cole's time of 3:49.80 against primarily Division I competition was notable for several reasons; it is the fastest time in the 1500m for Division III this outdoor season, it is the fourth fastest time in Williams history for that event, and it is a personal best for Cole of almost four seconds. Kamm was equally superior in his 14:26 performance in the 5K. The time is the second fastest in Ephs history behind only alum Paul Alsdorf, who ran 14:22, it is the 7th fastest time in the country for Division III this year, and it is a 91 second personal best for Kamm. The other Eph athletes to compete were Josephat Koima '12, who ran a personal best time of 3:57.62 in the 1500m, Andrew Gaidus '11, who PR'd in the 5K by running 15:13, Edgar Kosgey '10 (14:50), Anthony Raduazo (14:52) and Jeff Perlis (15:21).
On Saturday, it was again Richard Fusco '12 and Jabulani Blyden '13 leading the way for the Ephs. Fusco won the 200m in 23.02 and led the 400m through 200m before giving way to Blyden, who won the 400m in 49.25, 110m hurdles in 15.41s, and the 400m hurdles in 55.96. Blyden was a part of four first place finishes including the 4x100m relay.
