It’s an exciting time to be a part of the Stony Brook Seawolves track and field team. The team traveled to Boston University in Massachusetts this past weekend, and produced a first place finisher, a second place finisher, and set a new school record.
Tim Hodge, the sophomore from Tawa, New Zealand, finished in first place in the 3,000-meter, winning his first ever ECAC/IC4A championship. Not stopping there, his time of 8:04.42 set a new Stony Brook record. Hodge also qualified for the NCAA championships.
“He’s got a bright future ahead of him, and there’s no reason to believe that he cannot defend his first place finish in the near future,” Coach Andrew Ronan said. “I look forward to seeing him compete among the best in the upcoming NCAAs, where he can pull out another first place finish.”
The women’s team also gave a valiant effort. Dana Hastie, the senior from Wellington, New Zealand, finished second in the 5,000-meter race.
With a time of 16:34.96, Hastie also set a new school record, and improved her time to qualify for the NCAA championships. “Dana did a great job in this race, almost making it to the top,” Ronan said. “She gave her all and left it on the track, what more can be said about her that wasn’t said already?”
Lucy Van Dalen also qualified for the NCAA Championships with a first place finish in the 1-mile.
As if that wasn’t enough for just one day of the weekend, Sunday proved just as successful as three runners posted personal bests. In their run in the 3,000-meter, Laura Huet finished the event eighth overall, posting a time of 9:40.63. This time was six seconds faster than her previous career best. Holly Van Dalen, who finished in 9:42.62, an 11-second improvement on her best, placed just one spot behind Huet. Ruth Gillespie crossed the line with a time of 9:57.72, which was good enough for 16th place.
Next weekend should prove to be very eventful, as Hodge, Hastie and Lucy Van Dalen will travel to the NCAA Championships to take on the countries top track athletes.
