2007-2008 MEN'S TRACK & FIELD RECAP

NYC Qualifying Challenge @ Icahn Stadium – Saturday, May 10, 2008

Three school records fell and two NCAA qualifying times were posted on the Mondo in NYC.  Senior Alex Grout started the day by placing eleventh in the 1500 meters in an NCAA provisional time of 3:55.13.  He broke his own school record of 3:56.08 set last Friday at Princeton.  Fred Romer followed with his own eleventh place finish in the 800 meters.  The sophomore broke his own school record of 1:55.11 set at SUNYAC’s two weeks ago with a new 1:53.93 clocking, which qualified him for ECAC’s.  Marty Nicholson broke Ryan Walter’s 5,000 meter school record of 15:41.99 set two years ago at Oneonta’s May Meet with a time of 15:37.53.  The junior placed sixteenth overall.  To end the day, the 4x400 relay team of junior Joe Reed, Romer, freshman Joe Reyes, and junior Eric Theiss placed second in an NCAA provisional qualifying time of 3:15.80.  They are currently ranked thirteenth in the country.

Highlights:
400 meters:  21^st – Eric Theiss (Jr.), 49.66 (ECAC)
800 meters:  11^th – Fred Romer (So.), 1:53.93 (SR, ECAC)
1,500 meters:  11^th – Alex Grout (Sr.), 3:55.13 (SR, NCAA Prov.)
5,000 meters:  16^th – Marty Nicholson (Jr.), 15:37.53 (SR)
1,600 meter relay:  2^nd – Joe Reed (Jr.), Romer, Joe Reyes (Fr.), Theiss, 3:15.80 (NCAA Prov.)


Oneonta State May Meet – Saturday, May 3, 2008

The Plattsburgh Cardinals narrowly beat the home team Red Dragons in a combined women’s and men’s team score of 134-129.

Highlights:
100 meters:  1^st – Fred Romer (So.), 11.06 (PR, ECAC)
200 meters:  1^st – Joe Reed (Jr.), 21.70 (NCAA Prov.); 2^nd – Romer, 22.16 (ECAC)
400 hurdles:  1^st – Mike Hennessy (Jr.), 57.12 (SR, ECAC)
800 meters:  1^st – Nick Pampena (So.), 1:59.58 (PR)
1,500 meters:  1^st – David Goodge (Fr.), 4:15.14 (PR)
3,000 meters:  1^st – Alex Grout (Sr.), 8:57.80 (SR)
Shot Put:  1^st – Mike DeVasto (Jr.), 12.91m (42’ 4 ¼”)
Discus:  1^st – Steve Brandis (Fr.), 36.65m (120’ 3”)
Hammer:  1^st – DeVasto, 45.62m (149’ 8”)
Javelin:  1^st – Joe Sullivan (So.), 47.21m (154’ 11”)


Princeton Elite Meet – Friday, May 2, 2008

800 meters:  13^th – Fred Romer (So.), 1:56.93
1,500 meters:  13^th – Alex Grout (Sr.), 3:56.08 (SR, ECAC); 12^th – Frank Pfaffenberger (Fr.), 4:12.23


SUNYAC Championships @ Cortland – Friday-Saturday, April 25-26, 2008

The Red Dragons placed sixth with 56 points and were led by junior Mike DeVasto and senior Alex Grout who both placed second in one of their respective events.  DeVasto started the weekend by breaking the school record in the hammer throw with a heave of 46.35 meters.  The throw placed him seventh overall, qualified him for ECAC’s, and broke Taylor Arnold’s school record of 43.26 meters set back four years ago at Cortland, the last time they hosted the SUNYAC Championships.  DeVasto ended the day on Friday by breaking his own school record of 13.39 meters in the shot put with a new mark of 13.96 meters, which placed him in the runner-up position.  Grout picked up his runner-up finish to start the day on Saturday in the 1500 meters.  The senior qualified for ECAC’s in a time of 3:59.54.  He followed that with a sixth place finish in the 800 meters in a time of 1:59.35.  Also in the 800, sophomore Fred Romer placed seventh in 2:00.95 and freshman Frank Pfaffenberger was eighth in 2:01.35.  Pfaffenberger also placed fifth in the 1500 meters in a time of 4:04.07.  Marty Nicholson broke the 10,000 meter school record of 32:59.90 held by Ryan Walter from 2005.  The junior placed seventh in the event in an ECAC qualifying time of 32:45.55.  Classmate Mike Hennessy hit the ECAC standard, as well, in running 57.24 in the 400 hurdles and placing fifth.  Earlier in the day, he teamed with classmates Angelo Posillico and Rich Kardas, and freshman Chris Sneed to place seventh in the 4x100 relay in a time of 47.67.  Hennessy also led off the 4x400 relay team of Romer, freshman Tim Greenberg, and junior Eric Theiss, that placed fourth in a time of 3:29.65.  In his first meet since returning from injury, Theiss also placed an impressive third in the 400 meters in an ECAC time of 49.18.  Also placing third was Joe Sullivan in the javelin.  The sophomore threw a personal best of 48.60 meters.  Freshman Steve Brandis placed sixth in the shot with a put of 12.70 meters.

Place Winners:
400 meters:  3^rd – Eric Theiss (Jr.), 49.18 (ECAC)
400 hurdles:  5^th – Mike Hennessy (Jr.), 57.24 (PR, ECAC)
800 meters:  6^th – Alex Grout (Sr.), 1:59.35; 7^th – Fred Romer (So.), 2:00.95; 8^th – Frank Pfaffenberger (Fr.), 2:01.35
1,500 meters:  2^nd – Grout, 3:59.54 (ECAC; 5^th – Pfaffenberger, 4:04.07
10,000 meters:  7^th – Marty Nicholson (Jr.), 32:45.55 (SR, ECAC)
400 meter relay:  7^th – Rich Kardas (Jr.), Hennessy, Chris Sneed (Fr.), Angelo Posillico (Jr.), 47.67
1,600 meter relay:  4^th – Hennessy, Romer, Tim Greenberg (Fr.), Theiss, 3:29.65
Shot Put:  4^th – Mike DeVasto (Jr.), 13.96m (45’ 9 ¾” – SR); 6^th – Steve Brandis (Fr.), 12.70m (41’ 8”)
Hammer:  7^th – DeVasto, 46.35m (152’ 1” – SR, ECAC)
Javelin:  3^rd – Joe Sullivan (So.), 48.60m (159’ 5” – PR)


Cortland Classic – Saturday, April 19, 2008

On a hot day, Joe Reed helped heat up the track even more.  The junior All-American won the 100 meters in an NCAA provisional qualifying time of 10.63 in his first open race of the outdoor season.  Fellow All-American, sophomore Fred Romer, also took home a win, running an ECAC time of 50.72 in the 400 meters.  Mile All-American, senior Alex Grout, dropped down to the 800 and was runner-up in a SUNYAC time of 1:56.68.  Freshman Frank Pfaffenberger was a mere .02 seconds right behind in third place with a time 1:56.70.  Classmate Joe Reyes finished fifth in the 400 hurdles in a SUNYAC time of 57.63 with junior Mike Hennessy close behind in seventh place in a personal best time of 57.78.  Three Red Dragons qualified for SUNYAC’s in the steeplechase.  Sophomore Nick Pampena placed seventh in a time of 10:28.28, freshman Tim Greenberg was eighth in 10:31.31, and junior Marty Nicholson was ninth in 10:43.26.  In the field, Brian Foote hit the ECAC standard in the long jump.  The junior leaped 6.46 meters to place third.  He also placed seventh in the triple jump with a SUNYAC leap of 12.30 meters.  Classmates Angelo Posillico and Mike DeVasto hit the SUNYAC standard in the hammer throw.  Posillico placed ninth with a toss of 41.43 meters with DeVasto heaving it 38.90 meters, good for thirteenth place.  Sophomore Joe Sullivan hit the SUNYAC mark in the javelin with a throw of 43.21 meters, which placed him fifth.  Freshman Steve Brandis placed sixth in the discus with a personal best and SUNYAC qualifying mark of 39.25 meters.

Qualifiers:
100 meters:  1^st – Joe Reed (Jr.), 10.63 (NCAA Prov.)
400 meters:  1^st – Fred Romer (So.), 50.72 (ECAC)
400 hurdles:  5^th – Joe Reyes (Fr.), 57.63 (SUNYAC); 7^th – Mike Hennessy (Jr.), 57.78 (PR, SUNYAC)
800 meters:  2^nd – Alex Grout (Sr.), 1:56.68 (SUNYAC); 3^rd – Frank Pfaffenberger (Fr.), 1:56.70 (SUNYAC)
3,000 steeplechase:  7^th – Nick Pampena (So.), 10:28.28 (SUNYAC); 8^th – Tim Greenberg (Fr.), 10:31.31 (SUNYAC); 9^th – Marty Nicholson (Jr.), 10:43.26
Long Jump:  3^rd – Brian Foote (Sr.), 6.46m (21’ 2 ½” – ECAC)
Triple Jump:  7^th – Brian Foote (Sr.), 12.30m (40’ 4 ¼” – SUNYAC)
Shot Put:  4^th – Mike DeVasto (Jr.), 12.53m (41’ 1 ½” – SUNYAC); 5^th – Steve Brandis (Fr.), 12.52m (41’ 1” – SUNYAC)
Discus:  6^th – Brandis, 39.25m (128’ 9” – SUNYAC)
Hammer:  9^th – Angelo Posillico (Jr.), 41.43m (135’ 11” – SUNYAC); 13^th – DeVasto, 38.90m (127’ 7” – SUNYAC)
Javelin:  5^th – Joe Sullivan (So.), 43.21m (141’ 9” – SUNYAC)


The College of New Jersey Invitational – Friday-Saturday, April 11-12, 2008

Oneonta State headed to New Jersey and found success in the warmer weather.  On Friday, junior Angelo Posillico placed fifth in the hammer throw with a SUNYAC mark of 39.32 meters.  Throwing success continued Saturday as junior Mike DeVasto broke Kyle Dresser’s school record in the shot put by over a meter.  DeVasto’s throw of 13.39 meters placed him seventh and qualified him for SUNYAC’s.  Freshman Steve Brandis also broke Dresser’s record of 12.32 meters set back in 2004 at Hartwick College.  Brandis’ toss of 12.84 meters placed him ninth and hit the SUNYAC standard, as well.  Brandis ended the day with an eighth place finish in the discus with a SUNYAC distance of 38.24 meters.  Senior Brian Foote hit the SUNYAC mark in the triple jump with a leap 12.15 meters, which placed him ninth.  On the track, junior Marty Nicholson opened the day by picking up the lone victory for the Red Dragons in taking the 10,000 in a SUNYAC time of 33:06.85.  The All-American quartet of junior Joe Reed, freshman Joe Reyes, sophomore Fred Romer, and senior Alex Grout followed with a runner-up finish in the sprint medley relay in a school record time of 3:31.31.  After that, Romer ran a personal best and ECAC qualifying time of 49.67 in the 400 meters, which placed him fifth.  Grout added his own fifth place finish in the 800 meters with a SUNYAC time of 1:56.95.  Junior Rich Kardas also placed fifth.  His time of 16.64 in the 100 hurdles hit the SUNYAC qualifying time.  Classmate Mike Hennessy placed sixth in the 400 hurdles in a SUNYAC and personal best time of 58.36.  In the steeplechase, sophomore Nick Pampena and freshman Tim Greenberg placed ninth and tenth respectively, in SUNYAC times of 10:31.52 and 10:36.60. 

Highlights:
110 hurdles:  5^th – Rich Kardas (Jr.), 16.64 (SUNYAC)
400 meters:  5^th – Fred Romer (So.), 49.67 (PR, ECAC)
400 hurdles:  6^th – Mike Hennessy (Jr.), 58.36 (PR, SUNYAC); 12^th – Joe Reyes (Fr.), 59.54 (SUNYAC)
800 meters:  5^th – Alex Grout (Sr.), 1:56.95 (SUNYAC); 10^th – Frank Pfaffenberger (Fr.), 1:59.18 (SUNYAC)
3,000 steeplechase:  9^th – Nick Pampena (So.), 10:31.52 (SUNYAC); 10^th – Tim Greenberg (Fr.), 10:36.60 (SUNYAC)
10,000 meters:  1^st – Marty Nicholson (Jr.), 33:06.85 (SUNYAC)
1600 sprint medley relay:  2^nd – Joe Reed (Jr.), Reyes, Romer, Grout, 3:31.31 (SR)
Triple Jump:  9^th – Brian Foote (Sr.), 12.15m (39’ 10 ½” – SUNYAC)
Shot Put:  7^th – Mike DeVasto (Jr.), 13.39m (43’ 11 ¼” – SR, SUNYAC); 9^th – Steve Brandis (Fr.), 12.84m (42’ 1 ½” – SUNYAC)
Discus:  8^th – Brandis, 38.24m (125’ 5” – SUNYAC)
Hammer:  5^th – Angelo Posillico (Jr.), 39.32m (129’ 0” – SUNYAC)


Richard Stockton Osprey Open – Saturday, April 5, 2008

The Red Dragons opened the outdoor season with sunshine and 60 degree weather in New Jersey.  Junior Angelo Posillico and freshman Joe Reyes were the highest finishers on the day in placing fifth.  Posillico threw the #2 all-time hammer throw in school history with a heave of 42.26 meters, which hit the SUNYAC standard.  Reyes ran the #2 all-time mark in the 400 hurdles with a SUNYAC time of 57.68.  Junior Mike Hennessy also hit the SUNYAC mark in the 400IH, with a time of 59.12 which placed him eleventh.  Classmate Marty Nicholson placed seventh in the 5,000 meters in a SUNYAC time of 16:00.97.  Also in the 5,000, fellow junior Josh Haverlock ran a huge personal best of 16:38.90, which placed him eleventh.  Freshman Frank Pfaffenberger placed sixth in the 800 meters with a SUNYAC time of 1:59.12.  Classmate Steve Brandis hit the SUNYAC standard in the discus with a toss of 36.51 meters which placed him tenth.  Junior Mike DeVasto also hit the SUNYAC mark in the shot put with a throw of 12.29 meters in placing twelfth, missing the school record by 3cm.  Hennessy, Pfaffenberger, sophomore Nick Pampena, and Reyes ended the day with a tenth place finish in the 4x400 relay in a time of 3:31.40.

SUNYAC Qualifiers:
400 hurdles:  5^th – Joe Reyes (Fr.), 57.68 (PR); 11^th – Mike Hennessy (Jr.), 59.12 (PR)
800 meters:  6^th – Frank Pfaffenberger (Fr.), 1:59.14
5,000 meters:  7^th – Marty Nicholson (Jr.), 16:00.97
1600 meter relay:  10^th – Hennessy, Pfaffenberger, Nick Pampena (So.), Reyes, 3:31.40
Shot Put:  12^th – Mike DeVasto (Jr.), 12.29m (40’ 4”)
Discus:  10^th – Steve Brandis (Fr.), 36.51m (119’ 9”)
Hammer Throw:  5^th – Angelo Posillico (Jr.), 42.26m (PR – 138’ 8”)


NCAA Championships @ Ohio Northern University – Friday-Saturday, March 14-15, 2008

DAY 2
Five men qualified for NCAA’s and five men earned All-American honors as the Red Dragons finished tied for fourteenth in the team standings with eleven points.  It was the highest place finish ever in the country for the men’s indoor program at Oneonta State.  Senior Alex Grout started the day by placing seventh in the Mile in a time of 4:15.29 to earn All-American honors.  Junior Joe Reed followed with a blistering 6.30 second clocking in the 55 dash to place third and break his own school record of 6.34 set yesterday in the prelims.  He picked up his second All-American honor of the day by teaming with sophomore Fred Romer, freshman Joe Reyes, and classmate Eric Theiss in ending the day with the 4x400 meter relay.  The quartet’s time of 3:21.66 placed second in their heat and sixth overall in the timed final.  The top eight finishers in each event earned All-American honors.

Results:
55 meters:  3^rd – Joe Reed (Jr.), 6.30 (SR, AA)
Mile:  7^th – Alex Grout (Sr.), 4:15.29 (AA)
1600 meter relay:  6^th – Reed, Fred Romer (So.), Joe Reyes (Fr.), Eric Theiss (Jr.), 3:21.66 (AA)

DAY 1
On the first day of competition in the 2008 NCAA Indoor Championships, two Red Dragons advanced to the finals in their respective events.  Senior Alex Grout started the day off by placing sixth in the second heat of the Mile.  His time of 4:18.34 was faster than the entire first heat, thus earning him entrance into the ten man final at 2:30pm on Saturday.  Junior Joe Reed exploded from his blocks in the first heat of the 55 dash and placed second in huge personal best and school record time of 6.34 seconds.  His time was also faster than the entire second heat and enters Saturday’s 3:35pm final tied for the second fastest time.  Reed previously held the school record of 6.38 seconds, set last week at the ECAC Championships.  Sophomore Fred Romer placed sixth in his heat of the 800 meter prelims in a time of 2:00.52, and didn’t advance to the finals.  Fortunately, he will be competing on Saturday when he teams with Reed, junior Eric Theiss and freshman Joe Reyes for the timed finals of the 1600 meter relay at 5:00pm.

Results:
55 meters:  T-2^nd Heat, T-2^nd Overall – Joe Reed (Jr.), 6.34 (SR, Advanced to final)
800 meters:  6^th Heat, 12^th Overall – Fred Romer (So.), 2:00.52
Mile:  6^th Heat, 6^th Overall – Alex Grout (Sr.), 4:18.34 (Advanced to final)

ECAC Championships @ Harvard University – Friday-Saturday, March 7-8, 2008

The Red Dragons placed 6^th out of 58 teams with 27 points while hitting NCAA provisional marks in 3 events.  Junior Joe Reed broke his own school record of 6.40 in the 55 dash with a new NCAA qualifying time of 6.38.  He placed 3^rd overall.  Sophomore Fred Romer demolished his own school record in the 800 by 2 full seconds and qualified for NCAA’s with a time of 1:52.71.  He was just 3 tenths of a second off of the meet record of 1:52.41 held by his coach Matt LoPiccolo from 1998 ECAC Championships at Wheaton College.  Romer placed 2^nd behind Nazareth’s Nick Stenuf who broke LoPiccolo’s record with a time of 1:52.00.  Freshman Frank Pfaffenberger placed 9^th in the same event in a personal best time of 1:55.81.  In the 400, junior Eric Theiss placed 3^rd overall in a time of 49.57 while freshman Joe Reyes placed 23^rd in a time of 52.01.  Sophomore Nick Pampena ran a personal best time of 2:33.77 in the 1,000 meters, which placed him 8^th and earning an ECAC medal.  Senior Alex Grout placed 15^th in the mile in a time of 4:31.96.  To end the day, Pfaffenberger and Pampena teamed with freshmen Chris Sneed and David Goodge to place 23^rd in the 2 mile relay in a time of 8:22.30.  O-State started the weekend with an NCAA qualifying time in the distance medley relay.  Pfaffenberger, Theiss, Romer, and Grout placed 3^rd in a time of 10:08.19, despite getting tripped and falling on the quarter mile leg.

Results:
55 meters:  3^rd – Joe Reed (Jr.), 6.38 (SR, NCAA Prov.)
400 meters:  3^rd – Eric Theiss, 49.57; 23^rd – Joe Reyes (Fr.), 52.01
800 meters:  2^nd – Fred Romer (So.), 1:52.71 (SR, NCAA Prov.); 9^th – Frank Pfaffenberger (Fr.), 1:55.81 (PR)
1,000:  8^th – Nick Pampena (So.), 2:33.77 (PR)
1 Mile:  15^th – Alex Grout (Sr.), 4:31.96
2 Mile relay:  23^rd – Pfaffenberger, Pampena, Chris Sneed (Fr.), David Goodge (Fr.), 8:22.30
DMR:  3^rd – Pfaffenberger, Theiss, Romer, Grout, 10:08.19 (NCAA Prov.)


NYU Fastrack Invitational @ The NY Armory – Friday, February 29, 2008

The Red Dragons started the day by winning the distance medley relay in an NCAA provisional qualifying time of 10:02.88.  The quartet of freshman Frank Pfaffenberger, junior Eric Theiss, sophomore Fred Romer, and senior Alex Grout ran splits of 3:04.4(1200), 48.7(400), 1:54.0(800), and 4:15.4(1600), respectively and just missed their school record of 10:01.68 set three weeks ago at Boston University.  Theiss came back later in the day and placed 15^th in the 400 meters in an ECAC time of 49.14, missing the NCAA mark by .04 seconds.  Romer placed 11^th in the 800 meters in an ECAC time of 1:55.35.  Grout and Pfaffenberger teamed with sophomore Nick Pampena and freshman Chris Sneed to place 6^th in the 4x800 relay in a school record time of 7:59.35, which also hit the ECAC standard.  The previous record was set one year ago on the same track by Romer, Pampena, Matt Durkin, and Grout.  Pampena started his day by booking his own trip to Harvard next weekend for ECAC’s.  He ran a personal best time in the 1,000 of 2:35.78 that placed him 13^th.  Sneed also ran a PR in the same event with a time of 2:40.70.  He placed 20^th.  In the 60 hurdles, junior Rich Kardas tied his own school record with a clocking of 8.96, which placed him 27^th.

Results:
55 hurdles:  27^th – Rich Kardas (Jr.), 8.96 (Tie SR)
400 meters:  15^th – Eric Theiss, 49.14 (ECAC); 64^th – Joe Reyes (Fr.), 51.49
800 meters:  11^th – Fred Romer (So.), 1:55.35 (ECAC)
1,000:  13^th – Nick Pampena (So.), 2:35.78 (PR, ECAC); 20^th – Chris Sneed (Fr.), 2:40.70 (PR)
1 Mile:  46^th – David Goodge (Fr.), 4:42.62
5,000 meters:  24^th – Marty Nicholson (Jr.), 16:11.33
3,200 meter relay:  6^th – Alex Grout (Sr.), Pampena, Sneed, Frank Pfaffenberger (Fr.), 7:59.35 (SR, ECAC)
DMR:  1^st – Pfaffenberger, Theiss, Romer, Grout, 10:02.88 (NCAA Prov.)
Shot Put:  16^th – Mike DeVasto (Jr.), 12.25m (40’ 2 ¼”); 18^th – Kevin Harding (Fr.), 11.13m (36’ 6 ¼”)
Weight Throw:  11^th – DeVasto, 14.07m (46’ 2”); 14^th – Angelo Posillico (Jr.), 13.55m (44’ 5 ½”)


SUNYAC Championships @ Hobart/William Smith – Saturday, February 23, 2008

Oneonta State placed 5^th with 77 points.  Eric Theiss was the lone individual champion on the day, winning the 400 meters in an ECAC qualifying time of 49.80.  The junior also placed fifth in the 200 meters in an ECAC time of 22.61 and seventh in the 55 meters in a time of 6.83.  He capped the day by anchoring the 4x400 relay team of freshmen Joe Reyes and Tim Greenberg and sophomore Fred Romer to a third place finish in an ECAC time of 3:25.79.  Classmate Joe Reed broke Tom O’Neill’s school record in the 200 meters set three years ago at the SUNYAC Championships.  His time of 22.08 placed him second, just .07 seconds off of first place.  Reed also placed third in the 55 dash in an NCAA provisional qualifying time of 6.42.  Senior Alex Grout finished second in the mile in an ECAC time of 4:20.18 while sophomore Nick Pampena placed eighth in the same event, picking up a valuable point in a time of 4:34.69.  In the 800 meters, classmate Fred Romer took the runner-up spot in an ECAC time of 1:56.15.  Freshmen Joe Reyes and Frank Pfaffenberger made immediate impacts in their first SUNYAC Indoor Championships as the duo both placed fourth in their respective events.  Reyes ran 51.54 in the 400 meters, while Pfaffenberger ran 1:57.20 in the 800, good for ECAC qualification.  Pfaffenberger also anchored the distance medley relay team of Pampena, junior Mike Hennessy, and freshman Chris Sneed.  The quartet placed second in a time of 10:39.26 to pick up a SUNYAC medal.  Junior Mike DeVasto got his first ECAC qualifying mark of his career as he placed fifth in the weight throw with a toss of 14.71 meters.  Junior Angelo Posillico placed eighth in the same event with a heave of 13.63 meters, just 2cm off his personal best.  In the shot put, freshman Steve Brandis also picked up eighth with a throw of 12.69 meters.

Place Winners:
55 meters:  3^rd – Joe Reed (Jr.), 6.42 (NCAA Prov.); 7^th – Eric Theiss (Jr.), 6.83
200 meters:  2^nd – Reed, 22.08 (SR, ECAC); 5^th – Theiss, 22.61 (ECAC)
400 meters:  1^st – Theiss, 49.80 (ECAC); 4^th – Joe Reyes (Fr.), 51.54
800 meters:  2^nd – Fred Romer (So.), 1:56.15 (ECAC); 4^th – Frank Pfaffenberger (Fr.), 1:57.20 (ECAC)
1 Mile:  2^nd – Alex Grout (Sr.), 4:20.18 (ECAC); 8^th – Nick Pampena (So.), 4:34.69
1,600 meter relay:  3^rd – Reyes, Romer, Tim Greenberg (Fr.), Theiss, 3:25.79 (ECAC)
DMR:  2^nd – Pampena, Mike Hennessy (Jr.), Chris Sneed (Fr.), Pfaffenberger, 10:39.26
Shot Put:  8^th – Steve Brandis (Fr.), 12.69m (41’ 7 ¾”)
Weight Throw:  5^th – Mike DeVasto (Jr.), 14.71m (48’ 3 ¼” – ECAC); 8^th – Angelo Posillico (Jr.), 13.63m (44’ 8 ¾”)


Cornell University Kane Invitational – Saturday, February 16, 2008

Junior Joe Reed began the qualifying and record breaking act when he started the day in the 60 meter dash.  He broke his own school record by .02 in running 6.91 seconds to place second and hit the NCAA provisional qualifying mark.  He finished the day by winning the 200 meters in an ECAC qualifying time of 22.51 seconds.  Sophomore Fred Romer placed second behind Reed in the 200, also with an ECAC qualifying time of 23.01.  Senior Alex Grout broke Nick Scalfone’s 3,000 meter school record with a time of 8:49.72, which hit the ECAC standard and placed him fourth.  In the shot put, freshman Steve Brandis broke teammate Mike DeVasto’s school record of 12.99 meters with a heave of 13.21, which improved his SUNYAC qualifying mark.  Classmate Kevin Harding also reached the SUNYAC standard, tossing the shot 12.08 meters.  Back on the track, junior Rich Kardas broke his own school record in the 60 hurdles with a time of 8.96, which was good for SUNYAC qualification.  Sophomore Nick Pampena won and broke Matt Durkin’s school record of 1:29.12 in the 600 meters, with a time of 1:28.06 in the non-SUNYAC event.  In the 5,000 meters, junior Marty Nicholson bettered his SUNYAC time and placed tenth in 16:12.25 while freshman Frank Pfaffenberger placed sixth in the mile run in a SUNYAC time of 4:26.86.

New Qualifiers:
60 meters:  2^nd – Joe Reed (Jr.), 6.91 (SR, NCAA Prov.)
60 hurdles:  13^th – Rich Kardas (Jr.), 8.96 (SR, SUNYAC)
200 meters:  1^st – Reed, 22.57 (ECAC); 2^nd – Fred Romer (So.), 23.01 (ECAC)
600 meters:  1^st – Nick Pampena (So.), 1:28.06 (SR)
1 Mile:  6^th – Frank Pfaffenberger (Fr.), 4:26.86 (SUNYAC)
3,000 meters:  4^th – Alex Grout (Sr.), 8:49.72 (SR, ECAC)
5,000 meters:  10^th – Marty Nicholson (Jr.), 16:12.25 (SUNYAC)
Shot Put:  11^th – Steve Brandis (Fr.), 13.21m (43’ 4 ¼” – SR, SUNYAC); 18^th – Kevin Harding (Fr.), 12.08m (39’ 7 ¾” – SUNYAC)


Boston University Valentine Invitational – Friday-Saturday, February 8-9, 2008

Records fell beginning in the first event of the two day meet on the banked 200 meter oval at BU.  The quartet of freshman Frank Pfaffenberger, junior Eric Theiss, sophomore Fred Romer, and senior Alex Grout started Friday by placing sixth in the distance medley relay in a time of 10:01.68.  It was good for an NCAA provisional qualifying mark and eclipsed the school record of 10:05.87 set last year at the same meet by Theiss, Romer, Grout, and then senior Matt Durkin.  Saturday continued fast as Alex Grout placed fifteenth in the one mile with a time of 4:12.38.  His time beat his own school record of 4:14.08 and hit the NCAA provisional time.  In the 800, Fred Romer bested his own school record of 1:55.51 with a time of 1:54.72 to place twenty-sixth and qualify for ECAC’s.  Frank Pfaffenberger also hit the ECAC mark in the 800 with a personal best time of 1:57.17.  Alex Grout added another 800 ECAC performance with a time of 1:57.87.  Sophomore Nick Pampena hit the SUNYAC mark in the 800 with a time of 2:02.63.  Freshman Joe Reyes hit the ECAC standard in the 400 meters with a personal best time of 50.87.  Eric Theiss placed twenty-second in the 200 with an ECAC time of 22.31 while classmate Rich Kardas reached the SUNYAC time in the 55 hurdles with an 8.55 second clocking.  Junior Angelo Posillico heaved the weight 12.72 meters to eclipse the SUNYAC standard.  The weekend ended with the 4x400 relay.  Junior Joe Reed, Romer, Reyes, and Theiss blistered the track placing fifth overall.  Their time of 3:16.65 hit the NCAA provisional mark and beat the school and conference record of 3:18.08 held by Art Driscoll, Scott Pollard, Tim Wood, and Tom O’Neill from 2005 when that quartet earned All-American honors.

Oneonta Results:
55 hurdles:  61^st – Rich Kardas (Jr.), 8.55 (SUNYAC)
200 meters:  22^nd – Eric Theiss (Jr.), 22.31 (ECAC)
400 meters:  74^th – Joe Reyes (Fr.), 50.87 (PR, ECAC)
800 meters:  26^th – Fred Romer (So.), 1:54.72 (PR, ECAC); 60^th – Frank Pfaffenberger (Fr.), 1:57.17 (PR, ECAC); 67^th – Alex Grout (Sr.), 1:57.87 (ECAC); 143^rd – Nick Pampena (So.), 2:02.63 (SUNYAC)
1 Mile:  15^th – Grout, 4:12.38 (SR, NCAA Prov.)
1600 meter relay:  5^th – Joe Reed (Jr.), Romer, Reyes, Theiss, 3:16.65 (CR, SR, NCAA Prov.)
DMR:  6^th – Pfaffenberger, Theiss, Romer, Grout, 10:01.68 (SR, NCAA Prov.)
Shot Put:  51^st – Steve Brandis (Fr.), 11.88m; 58^th – Kevin Harding (Fr.), 11.32m
Weight Throw:  51^st – Angelo Posillico (Jr.), 12.72m (SUNYAC)


Syracuse University Invitational – Saturday, February 2, 2008

Red Dragons hit ECAC qualifying standards in the 55, 200, 400, and 1000 meters on the day.  Junior Joe Reed returned to action, placing third in the 55 dash in a time of 6.45, which not only hit the ECAC mark, but dipped under the NCAA provisional standard, as well.  In the 200, classmate Eric Theiss placed second in a personal best and ECAC time of 22.22.  In the 400, Fred Romer was also runner-up and an ECAC qualifier.  The sophomore ran a huge personal best of 49.87, coming within three tenths of a second from the NCAA provisional time.  In the 1000, Alex Grout was second, as well.  The senior broke his own school record set one year ago to the day on the same track with a time of 2:31.12.  Later on, Grout and Romer teamed with freshman Frank Pfaffenberger and sophomore Nick Pampena to place sixth in the 4x400 relay in a time of 3:31.10. Junior Marty Nicholson opened the day by placing fourth in the 5,000 meters in a SUNYAC qualifying time of 16:12.90 while Joe Reyes also hit a SUNYAC mark in placing fourth.  The freshman ran 23.24 in the 200 meters.

New Qualifiers:
200 meters:  2^nd – Eric Theiss (Jr.), 22.22 (PR, ECAC); 4^th – Joe Reyes (Fr.), 23.24 (SUNYAC)
400 meters:  2^nd – Fred Romer (So.), 49.87 (PR, ECAC)
1,000 meters:  2^nd – Alex Grout (Sr.), 2:31.12 (SR, ECAC)
5,000 meters:  4^th – Marty Nicholson (Jr.), 16:12.90 (SUNYAC)


Colgate University Class of 1932 Invitational – Saturday, January 26, 2008

The Red Dragons placed fourth out of eleven teams with 66 points.  Eric Theiss led the charge by qualifying in two events for ECAC’s.  The junior started the day by placing second in the 55 dash in a huge personal best time of 6.51 seconds.  He ended the day by taking home the lone O-State victory of the day.  His time of 22.44 in the 200 meters blew the field away.  Alex Grout was also a major player in the ECAC qualifying act.  The senior placed second in the 800 meters in a time of 1:58.12.  He also anchored the 4x400 meter relay team of freshman Joe Reyes, sophomore Fred Romer, and freshman Frank Pfaffenberger to a runner-up finish in an ECAC qualifying time of 3:27.88.  Romer picked up his own runner-up finish in the 400 meters in an ECAC time of 50.55 seconds.  Reyes hit a SUNYAC time of 23.63 in the 200 meters, which placed him seventh.  Freshman Steve Brandis threw 12.98 meters for the second week in a row in the shot put, placing him second.  Junior Angelo Posillico rounded out the runner-up finishes on the day with his own in the weight throw.  His heave of 13.53 meters was good for SUNYAC qualification and just missed his first collegiate win by 5 cm.  Junior Mike DeVasto had a pair of fifth place finishes in the shot and weight with SUNYAC tosses of 12.28 and 13.11 meters, respectively.

Highlights:
55 meters:  2^nd – Eric Theiss (Jr.), 6.51 (PR, ECAC)
200 meters:  1^st - Theiss, 22.44 (ECAC); 7^th – Joe Reyes (Fr.), 23.63 (SUNYAC)
400 meters:  2^nd – Fred Romer (So.), 50.55 (ECAC)
800 meters:  2^nd – Alex Grout (Sr.), 1:58.12 (ECAC)
1,600 meter relay:  2^nd – Reyes, Romer, Frank Pfaffenberger (Fr.), Grout, 3:27.88 (ECAC)
3,200 meter relay:  4^th – Nick Pampena (So.), David Goodge (Fr.), Mark Gymburch (Fr.), Chris Sneed (Fr.), 8:24.54
Shot Put:  2^nd – Steve Brandis (Fr.), 12.98m (SUNYAC); 5^th – Mike DeVasto (Jr.), 12.28m (SUNYAC)
Weight Throw:  2^nd – Angelo Posillico (Jr.), 13.53m (SUNYAC); 5^th – DeVasto, 13.11m (SUNYAC)


St. Lawrence University Indoor Classic – Saturday, January 19, 2008

The Red Dragons returned to action in 2008 and placed third out of three teams with 84 points.  On the track, Fred Romer placed 2^nd in the 200 meters with an ECAC qualifying time of 23.09.  The sophomore’s time was good enough for a personal best.  Freshman Joe Reyes placed 4^th in the same event with a SUNYAC qualifying time of 23.50.  Junior Rich Kardas placed 2^nd in the 55 hurdles in a SUNYAC qualifying time of 8.54 seconds.  O-State closed the meet with a victory in the 4x400 relay.  Sophomore Nick Pampena, freshmen Frank Pfaffenberger and Tim Kolesar, and senior Alex Grout crossed the line in 3:34.26, just ahead of St. Lawrence, which also improved the Red Dragons’ SUNYAC qualifying time from December.  In the field, Brian Foote picked up the lone individual win on the day.  The senior leapt 11.79 meters to take the triple jump.  Freshman Steve Brandis threw the shot 1 cm off of the school record in his O-State debut.  His mark of 12.98 meters qualified him for SUNYAC’s.  School record holder Mike DeVasto placed 4^th in the shot put with a SUNYAC mark of 12.24 meters.  The junior also placed 2^nd in the weight throw with another SUNYAC mark of 14.19 meters.  Classmate Angelo Posillico was 4^th in the weight with a SUNYAC qualifying throw of 13.04 meters.

Highlights:
55 meter hurdles:  2^nd – Rich Kardas (Jr.), 8.54 (SUNYAC)
200 meters:  2^nd – Fred Romer (So.), 23.09 (PR, ECAC); 4^th – Joe Reyes (Fr.), 23.50 (SUNYAC)
1,600 meter relay:  1^st – Nick Pampena (So.), Frank Pfaffenberger (Fr.), Tim Kolesar (Fr.), Alex Grout (Sr.), 3:34.26 (SUNYAC)
Triple Jump:  1^st – Brian Foote (Sr.), 11.79m
Shot Put:  3^rd – Steve Brandis (Fr.), 12.98m (SUNYAC); 4^th – Mike DeVasto (Jr.), 12.24m (SUNYAC)
Weight Throw:  2^nd – DeVasto, 14.19m (SUNYAC); 4^th – Angelo Posillico (Jr.), 13.04m (SUNYAC)


St. Lawrence University Holiday Relays – Saturday, December 8, 2007

Oneonta State finished 2007 on a high note with a plethora of championship meet qualifiers.  Junior Joe Reed demolished his own school record of 6.46 in the 55 dash with a winning time of 6.40, hitting the NCAA provisional qualifying time.  Classmate Eric Theiss placed third in the same event with an ECAC qualifying time of 6.58.  He came back later and picked up his own victory in the 400 meters, running another ECAC time of 49.86.  Sophomore Fred Romer hit ECAC’s in the 400, as well, running a personal best time of 50.51 in placing third.  Freshman Joe Reyes got in the qualifying act, as he placed sixth in the 400 with a SUNYAC qualifying time of 51.98.  The trio joined with freshman Greg Flynn to place third in the 4x200 relay in an ECAC qualifying time of 1:34.40.  Junior Rich Kardas placed fifth in the 55 hurdles with a SUNYAC qualifying time of 8.36 seconds.  In the field, junior Mike DeVasto threw personal bests in both the shot put and weight throw.  His mark of 12.99 meters in the shot, placed him forth, improved his SUNYAC qualifying mark, and broke Kyle Dresser’s school record of 12.70 meters set on Valentine’s Day in 2004 at MIT.  DeVasto started the day by winning the weight throw with a heave of 14.29 meters, good for a SUNYAC qualifier and his first collegiate win.  Classmate Angelo Posillico placed third in the weight, also with a personal best toss of 13.65 meters, good for another SUNYAC qualifier.  Senior Brian Foote ended the day for the Red Dragons by placing third in the triple jump with a SUNYAC qualifying mark of 12.28 meters.  The Red Dragons return to action in 2008 back at St. Lawrence for the Indoor Classic on January 19^th.

New Qualifiers:
55 meters:  1^st – Joe Reed (Jr.), 6.40 (SR, NCAA Prov.); 3^rd – Eric Theiss (Jr.), 6.58 (ECAC)
55 meter hurdles:  5^th – Rich Kardas (Jr.), 8.36 (SUNYAC)
400 meters:  1^st – Theiss, 49.86 (ECAC); 3^rd – Fred Romer (So.), 50.51 (ECAC); 6^th – Joe Reyes (Fr.), 51.98 (SUNYAC)
800 meter relay:  3^rd – Theiss, Romer, Reyes, Greg Flynn (Fr.), 1:34.40 (ECAC)
1,600 meter relay:  4^th – Chris Sneed (Fr.), Tim Kolesar (Fr.), Travis Visco (So.), Mark Gymburch (Fr.), 3:45.28 (SUNYAC)
Triple Jump:  3^rd – Brian Foote (Sr.), 12.28m (SUNYAC)
Shot Put:  4^th – Mike DeVasto (Jr.), 12.99m (SR, SUNYAC)
Weight Throw:  1^st – DeVasto, 14.29m (SUNYAC); 3^rd – Angelo Posillico (Jr.), 13.65m (SUNYAC)


Cornell University Relays – Saturday, December 1, 2007

Oneonta State opened the 2007-2008 indoor season with qualifiers for both SUNYAC’s and ECAC’s with the junior class leading the way.  Joe Reed and Eric Theiss placed 3^rd and 8^th, respectively in the 60 meter dash in ECAC qualifying times of 9.96 and 7.07 seconds.  For Reed, he missed the NCAA mark by 1 hundredth with Theiss running a personal best.  The duo came back and placed 3^rd and 4^th in the 300 meters with Reed running 35.34 and Theiss running 35.36, good for PR’s for both.  Classmates Angelo Posillico and Mike DeVasto hit SUNYAC marks in the throws.  Posillico placed 14^th in the weight throw with a toss of 13.19 meters, 1 cm off his personal best.  DeVasto placed 16^th in the shot put and 18^th in the weight throw with heaves of 12.55 meters and 12.12 meters, respectively.  Fellow junior Rich Kardas placed 23^rd in the 60 hurdles with a SUNYAC qualifying time of 9.15.  Sophomore Fred Romer broke the school record in the 500 meters and qualified for ECAC’s in the process.  His time of 1:06.28 broke Scott Pollard’s record of 1:06.91 set at St. Lawrence in January of 2006.

Qualifiers:
60 meters:  3^rd – Joe Reed (Jr.), 6.96 (ECAC); 8^th – Eric Theiss (Jr.), 7.07 (ECAC)
60 meter hurdles:  23^rd – Rich Kardas (Jr.), 9.15 (SUNYAC)
500 meters:  4^th – Fred Romer (So.), 1:06.28 (SR, ECAC)
1,600 meter relay:  28^th – Chris Sneed (Fr.), Mark Gymburch (Fr.), Tim Kolesar (Fr.), Mike Hennessy (Jr.), 3:45.90
DMR:  8^th – Kolesar, Hennessy, Sneed, Gymburch, 11:35.80
Shot Put:  16^th – Mike DeVasto (Jr.), 12.55m (41’ 2 ¼” – SUNYAC)
Weight Throw:  14^th – Angelo Posillico (Jr.), 13.19m (43’ 3 ¼” – SUNYAC); 18^th – DeVasto, 12.12m (39’ 9 ¼”)