By RYAN SCANLON
STAFF WRITER
The Fordham men’s and women’s track and field teams were in action this weekend for the first time this spring season at the VCU Ram Invitational hosted by Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Va. The VCU Rams are a new addition to the Atlantic 10; they finished seventh at the conference championships in the indoor season and add to the conference’s overall depth.
The men’s side was highlighted by graduate student Kevin Fitzgerald who, after over nine months without being able to race officially for the Rams, suited up to begin his last season of eligibility at Fordham. Fitzgerald took the victory in the 5000m run by hitting 14:58. Senior Nick Synan finished up in third place in that same race with a time of 15:03. Fellow senior Sean Atkinson has a lot to race for as well in his last season as one of Fordham’s most prolific sprinters in school history. He placed third overall in the 400m dash in a time of 49.85, less than half a second off the lead. The men packed well in the 1500m run, getting the mid distance crew some early work as a group. Junior Ryan Polo led the way with a second place finish, clocking in at 3:59.12. Senior John Cosgrove and junior Brian Walter were right behind Polo and finished fourth and fifth, respectively. Cosgrove would hit 4:00.25 and Walter 4:01.51. High jump specialist David Fajoyomi tried the long jump over the weekend and fared very well. His jump of 22’9” earned him a second place finish.
The women’s side had two first place victories over the weekend. Junior Titi Fagade won the 400m dash in a time of 56.24, perhaps indicating her preference for this race throughout the remainder of the season. Sophomore Kristen Stuart, coming off her successful winter in the middle distance events, resorted back to her intermediate hurdles over the weekend and won handily in a time of 62.83. Fagade and Stuart contributed to the 4×400-m relay team which earned a second place finish. Fagade, Stuart, sophomore Melissa Higgins and sophomore Coral Hershkovitz combined to hit 3:57.41. Other highlights included the distance team, which packed well in the 5000m run. Junior Anisa Arsenault would lead the way with a second place finish in 17:46. Sophomore Sarah Glockenmeier and freshman Suzy Sikorski would finish right behind her in third and fourth in times of 18:09 and 18:10, respectively. Sophomore Mara Liberman was the last to score with a sixth place finish in a time of 18:15. Senior Courtnay Newman got some early work in on the high jump mats and placed fourth overall by clearing 5’1”.
The Rams will be in action next weekend at the West Chester Invite, in West Chester, Penn.
