Durham, N.H. - University of New Hampshire's Rita Ciambra's record-breaking win in the pole
vault highlighted the first day of the 2010 America East Outdoor Track and Field
Championship at the Wildcats' Reggie F. Atkins Track on Saturday. After day one, the
University at Albany Great Danes lead on the women's side, while the New Hampshire
Wildcats lead the men.
Ciambra's vault of 4.01m broke the record previously held by
Laura Chmielewski of Northeastern in 2004. The Great Danes went 1-2 in the women's 3K Steeplechase
with Jennifer Peirson winning the title in 10.40.46, followed directly by 2008 champion Laura
Cummings' 10.47.93. University of Maine's Jesse LeBreck locked up the women's long jump title with a leap of 5.94m, while University of New Hampshire's Ashlee Lathrop
secured the win in the hammer throw with a throw of 54.67m. Black Bear
Jessica Bonds won the javelin with a toss of 42.70m and Stony Brooks' Holly
Van Dalen captured top honors in the final event of the day, winning the
women's 10k in 35:28.68.
A pair of rookies currently lead the women's heptathlon, with Boston U.'s Allison Barwise pacing the group with 3,110 points, and UMBC's Chowan Brightful following directly behind with 2,858. The heptathlon's long jump, javelin and 800 meter run will conclude the event Sunday morning.
On the men's side, New Hampshire took first and second place
in both the javelin and hammer to pace the Saturday throwing events. Junior Michael Simon made it a three-peat in the javelin throw with a mark of 60.77m. Teammate Paul DeTurk took the title in the hammer throw with mark of 61.97m, while fellow Wildcat Jeff Kaste placed second with a throw of 59.62m. Defending champion Wilfredo deJesus Elias of Albany finished third, making a throw of 57.19m on his third attempt.
In the other men's field events, Binghamton sophomore Robb Quiller jumped 4.95m to defend his title in the pole vault, and Albany's Valete Graham won the long jump with a mark of 7.51m. Great Dane senior Freddie Wills III concluded an exciting high jump final, defeating Maine freshman Jadrien Cousens in a jump-off, making a height of 2.08m twice.
University of Vermont senior Doug Maisey took home the 3k Steeplechase title in an IC4A time of 9:00.78, while Binghamton rookie Jeff Martinez finished off Saturday's men's events with a gold in the 10,000 meters, crossing the finish list in an IC4A time of 31:04.19.
UMBC's Keith Onto currently leads the men's decathlon with 3,782 points, followed by Boston U. junior Richard Haigh's 3,605 points. The event continues on Sunday with the 110 hurdles, discus, pole vault, javelin and 1,500 meters.
The 2010 Outdoor Track and Field Championship concludes
Sunday, beginning at 9 a.m. with the men's and women's decathlon and
heptathlon.