Four University of Albany Track Relays Surpass IC4A and ECAC Standards at Florida Relays; Two Meet School Records - UAlbany Sports 2009

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Gainesville, Fla. –Joe Belokopitsky (Shaker), Nick Santos (Colonie Central), John Moore (Fonda-Fultonville) and Tyler Fogarty (Shenendehowa) ran on the winning 4x800-meter relay team which shattered the school record by almost nine seconds to pace the UAlbany men’s and women’s outdoor track and field teams at the Pepsi Florida Relays on Saturday, April 4. In addition, the men’s 4x400-meter relay matched the program standard, and a total of four relay teams qualified for the IC4A and ECAC championship meets.

The men’s 4x800-meter relay consisting of the same group of student-athletes which clinched the program’s first IC4A indoor team title crossed the tape in 7:26.67, easily surpassing the previous school record of 7:35.60 set in 2007 at the New York Relays. Belokopitsky led off the relay which qualified for the IC4A meet with a split of 1:52.2, while Santos ran the second leg in 1:53.9. Moore finished the third leg in 1:49.6, and Fogarty anchored the squad with a mark of 1:50.7.

The men’s 4x400-meter relay squad qualified for the NCAA East Regional Championship for winning its heat and finishing seventh in 3:08.86 to match the original program standard set at the 2007 NCAA East Regional Championship. Alie Beauvais started off the relay by running a split time of 47.6 seconds, and Jeffery Barnes (Albany) followed up with a personal-best mark of 46.9 on the second leg. Peter Rowell clocked in at 48.9 on the third leg, and Greene anchored the squad with a split time of 45.5, the fastest recorded in school history.

The men’s and women’s 4x100-meter relay teams each met IC4A and ECAC qualifying marks. The men’s squad consisting of Jean Juste, Mike McCadney, Felipe Reyes (Christian Brothers Academy) and Barnes placed second in its heat and 14th overall in 41.70, while Kamilah McShine, Jenn Gurrant, Quante Harris and Fey Adaramola combined for a time of 47.46 to finish second in their heat and 22nd in the field.

In addition, the women’s sprint medley relay team consisting of Adaramola, Gurrant, Melissa Lee and Zuliana Fontanez won its heat and placed sixth overall in 3:57.29. Most notably, Fontanez ran her fastest 800-meter split ever by navigating the track twice in 2:09.9. Gurrant also met the ECAC standard in the triple jump, placing fifth with a mark of 40-feet, 1.50-inches.

The UAlbany outdoor track and field teams will travel to a pair of meets in two weeks. Select members will head to the UTECH Track and Field Classic in Kingston, Jamaica on Saturday, April 18, while others will go to Princeton’s Larry Ellis Invitational on April 17-18.

UAlbany Men’s Results

Triple Jump: 12. Valete Graham 46-5.50. 4x100-Meter Relay: 14. Jean Juste, Mike McCadney, Felipe Reyes, Jeffery Barnes 41.70 (IC4A). 4x400-Meter Relay: 7. Alie Beauvais, Jeffery Barnes, Peter Rowell, Joe Greene 3:08.86 (NCAA East Regional, Ties School Record); 31. Andrew Overbaugh, Lynval Clarke, Nick Assini, Mohamed Kanu 3:22.83. 4x800-Meter Relay: 1. Joe Belokopitsky, Nick Santos, John Moore, Tyler Fogarty 7:26.67 (IC4A, School Record). Shuttle Hurdle Relay: 5. Garrett Askew, Joe Greene, Nicholas Assini, Jean Juste 1:00.18. Sprint Medley Relay: 8. Lynval Clarke, Felipe Reyes, Andrew Overbaugh, Aaron Lozier 3:28.83.

UAlbany Women’s Results

Triple Jump: 5. Jenn Gurrant 40-1.50 (ECAC), FOUL. Sandy Antenor. 4x100-Meter Relay: 22. Kamilah McShine, Jenn Gurrant, Quante Harris, Fey Adaramola 47.46 (ECAC). 4x400-Meter Relay: 35. Tenica Roberts, Tierra Chavis, Octavia Clarkson, Elia Francis 3:57.09; 37. Nyree Richardson, Jessica Hunter, Laura Bolognino, Jessica Panos 4:05.89. 4x800-Meter Relay: 13. Esperanza Blanco, Zuliana Fontanez, Jessica Panos, Allie Carlson 9:36.71. Sprint Medley Relay: 6. Fey Adaramola, Jenn Gurrant, Melissa Lee, Zuliana Fontanez 3:57.29.