Men's Track Preps For Busy Saturday at Boston and at Maine (Feb. 13)

Saturday, February 13

Boston

12 PM

University of New Hampshire

David Hemery Valentine Invitational

Photo by: Elise Austin-Washburn

Men's Track Preps For Busy Saturday at Boston and at Maine (Feb. 13)

2/12/2016 9:03:00 AM | Men's Track & Field

DURHAM, N.H. - The University of New Hampshire men's track and field team has a busy upcoming Saturday (Feb. 13), as it competes at both Boston University's David Hemery Valentine Invitational and at the University of Maine in preparation for championship season.

Last Time Out
The Wildcats placed fourth overall (62.5 points) at the University of Rhode Island Coaches vs. Domestic Violence Tribute Meet. Junior Christopher Poggi (Dover, N.H.) placed first in the 800-meter run (1 minute, 53.46 seconds). Four other Wildcats set or tied personal records on the day.

Meet Details
UNH is bringing a select few to Boston for the David Hemery in order to secure championship-qualifying times. New Hampshire will race a squad consisting of mostly freshmen and sophomores, as the team heads into Maine focused on growth and progression.

Next Up
The Wildcats close out regular season action before heading to New York to compete in the America East Championships (Feb. 19-20). UNH finished third a season ago with 115.33 points in the title meet.

Dover's Duo
Junior Christopher Poggi (Dover, N.H.) remains one of UNH's top contenders. The veteran secured a first place spot in the 800-meter dash at University of Rhode Island's Coaches Tribute Meet last weekend, and he will push to keep his top spot this weekend while competing in the 500-meter run in Boston.

Another Dover native, junior Michael Shanahan, looks to continue improving after recording his personal-best weight throw (68 feet, 9.25 inches) against Maine and Vermont on Jan. 30. Shanahan also placed first in both weight throw and shot put against the College of the Holy Cross (Jan. 16).

Star Seniors
Senior Isaiah Penn (Boston, M.A.) will compete once again in the 400-meter dash in his hometown this weekend after winning two consecutive events against Holy Cross (Jan. 16) and at the Jay Carisella Invitational (Dec. 12). Brendan McCarthy (Mansfield, M.A.) previously placed first in the 3,000-meter run against Maine and Vermont (Jan. 30) with a new personal record of 8:35.05. Senior D'Mahl McFadden (Penacook, N.H.) placed second in the 200-meter dash against Maine and Vermont and seventh overall in the 60-meter hurdles at Rhode Island last weekend.

Spotlight on Saturday
Traveling to Maine alongside the women's track & field team, the Wildcats hope to finish strong ahead of the competition. In Maine, the freshman and sophomore groups will work together to take down the Black Bears. This meet will give the 'Cats a glimpse of what the program's future has in store with its young runners front and center.

Formidable Freshmen
Freshman William Ulrich (Mineola, N.Y.) was a member of the second-place distance medley relay team at Rhode Island that finished in 10:37.25. Freshmen Cody Symonds (Alton, N.H.) and Brett Hoerner (Manchester, N.H.) were also members of that relay squad. All three freshmen look to continue their success on Saturday. Brandon Allen (Berkshire Academy) dazzled against Maine and Vermont (Jan. 30), capturing first in the 200-meter race in 23.29 seconds and placing second in the 55-meter dash (6.75 seconds).

Sophomore Throwers
Cullen Aubin (Warwick, R.I.) notched a new personal record in the weight throw in Rhode Island last weekend with his 48-foot, 7.25-inch toss. Nicholas Ritzo (Rye, N.H.) took third place on Jan. 30 in the shot put (47 feet, 1.5 inches). Ritzo also placed fourth at the Jay Carisella Invitational on Dec. 12 for his throw that reached 49 feet, 3.75 inches.

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