Cambridge, Mass--Albany has been selected as the preseason favorite to win the 2008 America East Men’s Indoor Track and Field Championship, according to a vote of the conference’s head coaches. The Great Danes received all eight first-place votes (coaches were not permitted to vote for their own team), tallying 64 points. The University of New Hampshire earned one first-place vote and tied Boston University for the second-place standing, both with 52 points.
Binghamton University (38 points) came in at fourth, followed closely by UMBC (33) and University of Maine (30). Stony Brook University (26), University of Vermont (21), and University of Hartford (8) rounded out the nine-team poll.
Albany looks to repeat coming of last year’s championship title. Head coach Roberto Vives will look to senior David Parker (Niskayuna) who won the heptathlon, setting a new school record at last year’s championships. Other returning teammates who were victorious include junior Pat Weider (Fairport, N.Y./Fairport), the 200 meter event winner and junior Jean Juste (Hempstead, N.Y./Uniondale), the 55-meter hurdles winner. Senior Ricardo Estremera (San Juan, Puerto Rico/University) will be relied on heavily in distance events, while junior Mike McCadney (Rochester, N.Y./Edison Tech), junior Freddie Wills (Londonderry, N.H./Londonderry), and senior Renauld Buck (Liberty, N.Y./Liberty) will lead the Great Danes in field events.
New Hampshire will be led by its seniors Jordan Horowitz (Evanston, Ill.) who notched a first place in the 5000 meter run last year, while Robert Edgerton (Cornish, N.H.) should be strong in the distance events. Junior Doug Mercer (Laconia, N.H.) will contribute in the 500 meters after a second place finish last year as well as in relays. Wildcat junior Jeff Kaste (Atkinson, N.H.) will lead the way in throwing events.
Boston University returns senior David Proctor (Rochdale, England) in distance events and sophomore Eric Ashe (Hanson, Mass.) known for his steeplechase event. Coach Robyne Johnson will rely on five freshmen to add depth to the program including Ken Haltom (Memphis, Tenn.) in the distance group, Joel Senick (Victoria, B.C.) a sprinter specializing in the 400 meter event, Rich Haigh (Orange, Conn.) contributing in the sprints and jumps, as well as two throwers, Jan Bicanic (Zagreb, Croatia) and Dan Withrow (Dedham, Mass.).
Binghamton will rely on its junior class in the 2007-08 season. Junior Jimmy Massar (Johnson City, N.Y./Johnson City) ran to a second-place finish in both the 200 and 400-meter events last year. Classmates Connor Martin (Fairport, N.Y./Fairport) and Adam Hill (Delmar, N.Y./Bethlehem) will contribute in the mid-distance and distance events. Justin Halleck (Depew, N.Y./Lancaster) will be a tough competitor in throwing events.
UMBC returns top finisher junior Anthony Kelhower, third-place in the 3000 and fourth-place in the mile. Fellow sophomore Camal Pugh will be one to watch in the hurdles and sprint events.
Maine looks to sophomore Jeff Ramos, after winning the high jump event at last year’s outdoor championships. Classmate Toby Poirer (Lewiston, Maine) will contribute in the javelin. Also returning is junior Daniel Voner (Dresden, Maine) in mid-distance events and senior Charles Therriault (Clinton, Mass.) in distance events.
Stony Brook senior Justin Miller (Smithtown, N.Y./Hauppauge) returns as one of the team’s top throwers. Alex Felce (Stroud, England/Archway Comp.) the 2007 men’s America East Conference cross country champion returns as one of the Seawolves’ top distance runners.
Vermont will be led by senior Chris Healy (Denver, Colo.) in the distance events and junior Cameron Grant (Perrineville, N.J.) in the sprint events.
Hartford will look upon sophomore Alex Ivanov (Carlisle, MA/Concord-Carlisle) in the heptathlon as well as senior Mike Tiroletto (Enfield, CT/Fermi) in distance events. Anthony Oluwanifise (Queens Village, N.Y./St. Francis Prep) will contribute in the jump events, while junior Brien Woodaman (Milford, NH/Milford) will compete in throwing events.
The 2008 America East Indoor Track & Field Championships will be held at Boston University Track & Tennis Center on February 22-23.