Isaac Bean
Anchor Staff Writer
Rhode Island College’s mens and women’s track and field teams competed in the New England Division III Championships this past weekend in Springfield, Massachusetts. The event turned out to be a success for both teams as four RIC students turned out to get recognized with All-New England honors.
The men’s team had an overall team score of 8.0, tieing of 26th place at this event. Notable contributors were senior Edward Garofalo, freshman Shamus Culhane, senior Andre Solomon-Messier and freshman Brandon Mota. Garofalo had an incredible weekend. Garofalo had a score of 13.96m in the triple jump, placing fourth overall. Not only did he place high, he ended up earning All-New England honors in the process.
Garofalo was not the only Anchormen who got All-New England honors though. Culhane took home that honor as well. Culhane placed sixth in the hammer throwing for 50.73m. Solomon-Messier and Mota were also big contributors to the team’s overall success. Solomon-Messier had a time of 33:10.26 during the 10,000m, placing 13th and Mota threw for 48.50m in the hammer, earning him 11th place.
The Anchorwomen had a good weekend as well, placing 23rd with a team score of 9.0. Notable contributors were freshman Haley Oliver, graduate student Melissa Mejia and sophomore Samantha Sainristil. Oliver was incredible for the Anchorwomen this weekend. Her time of 18:04.78 in the 5,000m earned her fourth place, while also garnering All-New England honors. Mejia also brought home All-New England honors for the Anchorwomen, placing fifth in the hammer throw by throwing for 46.65m, and finishing in 19th place in the discus, throwing for 37.48m. Sainristil was also a key contributor in the team score, by throwing for 34.48m in the hammer throw and placing 21st.
After an impressive outing by both the Anchormen and Anchorwomen, both track and field teams have some big competition coming up. Both teams will be competing in the New England Open Championship, which is on Friday, May 12 and Saturday, 13. This competition is set to take place in Dedham, Massachusetts.