DURHAM, N.H.— For the first time in the 14-year history of the America East Track and Field Championship, the event was held at a site other than Northeastern University's Solomon Track in Dedham, Mass. Yet the Huskies felt right at home at the new Reggie F. Atkins Track and Field Facility on the University of New Hampshire campus as both the Northeastern men's and women's teams captured America East titles. It marked the second-straight championship for the men and first title since 1999 for the women. It was the first time a school won both the men's and women's championship in the same year since 1992 when the Huskies also accomplished the feat.
On the women's side, the Huskies (139) edged New Hampshire (132.5) and University of Maine (130) to earn the win. America East newcomer Binghamton University finished fourth with 114 points, followed by Boston University (108), University of Vermont (93), University at Albany (81.5) and Stony Brook University (20).
Only three points separated Northeastern (129), New Hampshire (126.5) and Maine (126) heading into the day's final event, the 4x400 relay. The Huskies' Ahndraea Allen, Joann Merlain, Ebony Jack and Theresa Williams teamed for a first-place 3:53.38, the third fastest time in conference championship history. Binghamton University was second in 3:56.55 followed by New Hampshire (4:00.16), Boston University (4:10.30) and Maine (4:10.55).
The Huskies received wins from Jack in the 100 meters (11.66) in a wind-aided time that allowed the conference record of 11.70 to stand and Allen in the 200 meters (24.69) and 400 meters (56.36). The latter was a conference record breaking the old mark of 56.66 set by Gabrielle DeShong of Maine in 1997. That duo also contributed to the winning 4x100 meter relay.
Senior Amy DeCamp of New Hampshire was named the Women's Most Outstanding Track Performer after winning the 1,500 meters in 4:26.48 and finishing second in the 800 meters in 2:15.55.
Sophomore Kristal Kostiew of Vermont was named the Women's Most Outstanding Field Performer after winning the javelin (42.83 meters), shot put (13.38 meters) and hammer throw (51.68 meters) and placing fourth in the discus (40.88 meters). Junior Viktoriya Rybalko of Maine won both the long jump in a wind-aided 6.47 meters and the triple jump (12.29 meters).
Boston University received wins from Lauren Matthews in the 10,000 meters (36:23.91) and from Rachel Felton in the 800 meters (2:14.38). Binghamton, competing in its first America East Track and Field Championship, had individual winners in the 100-meter hurdles (Nathalee McKenzie), the pole vault (Kate Zanot) and the discus (Laura Yelverton).
New Hampshire's Lesley Read won the first women's 3,000 steeplechase, establishing the conference mark with a 11:18.69. Teammates Alison March (5,000 meters) and Alicia Anderson (high jump) also won events as did the Wildcats' 4x800 meter relay team. Albany's Tammy Freeman won the 400-meter hurdles in 1:03.96.
On the men's side, Northeastern compiled a convincing 201.5 points to second-place Albany's 180.5. New Hampshire was third with 111, followed by Boston University (104), Binghamton (77), Maine (57), Vermont (47), Stony Brook (26) and University of Hartford (13).
Husky freshman Derek Anderson was named the Men's Outstanding Field Performer after finishing second in both the shot put and discus and third in the hammer. Sophomore teammate Paul Klemic won the long jump (7.44 meters), the high jump (2.08 meters) and the 100-meter hurdles (14.25). Vincent Tortorella won both the discus (52.80 meters) and the hammer (61.30 meters) while Adam Crosman won the javelin (61.06 meters), Bryan McCants won the 400-meter hurdles (53.41) and Ryan Cahill the pole vault (4.56 meters).
Vermont's Jeff Guilmette won his eighth America East shot put title (indoor and outdoor) with a record-setting 17.21 meters. Guilmette now has each of the four best distances at that event in outdoor championship history. Teammate George Deane was a winner in the 1,500 meters.
Junior Matt Adler of Boston University, who won the 400 meters in a record-setting 47.24, was named the Men's Outstanding Track Performer. Adler also won the 200 meters in a wind-aided 21.29. Teammate Jay Borbet won the 5,000 meters in 15:02.12 while the Terriers' 4x100 meter relay team was also victorious.
Albany received wins from Kristof Molnar in the 800 meters, Andrew Allstadt in the 10,000 meters and Adam Rice in the 3,000-meter steeplechase. The Great Danes' 4x100 meter realy team also won.
New Hampshire's Ronald Harvey (100 meters) and Greg Taylor (triple jump) were also winners, as was Binghamton's 4x800 meter relay team.
The coaching staffs at Albany (men) and New Hampshire (women) were cited as Coaching Staff of the Year in voting conducted by the conferences coaches.
Men's Championship Results
Women's Championship Results