Men finish second, women third at America East Indoor Track Meet

Freshman Temi Bajulaiye won the 500 and was named the Men’s Most Outstanding Rookie, highlighting Binghamton’s performance during the final day of the America East Indoor Track & Field Championships on Feb. 12 at the Reggie Lewis Center in Boston. The Bearcat men were the runner-up out of eight teams while the women placed third overall.

Balujaiye, who won the 500 in a time of 1:05.66, was joined by sophomore Christy DiMichele, who was named the Women’s Most Outstanding Rookie for the two-day meet. DiMichele, who is a freshman eligibility-wise, tied for first in the pole vault on Feb. 11.

The Bearcat men have now earned runner-up honors in five of the last six America East Indoor Championships. The women, meanwhile, recorded their highest finish at the conference indoor meet since 2002. Binghamton also finished third at the America East Outdoor Championships last May.

“I am really proud of how everyone performed here,” head coach Mike Thompson said. “We knew it would be a close battle for second on the men’s side and we came through when we had to. It was tough the women couldn’t also come in second but we had some great performances from them as well.

While the men’s team edged out UMBC for second place 134.5-130, the women were nipped by the Retrievers, 131-124.5. Defending champion Albany, meanwhile, amassed 231 points on the men’s side and 233.50 points in the women’s meet to sweep the team titles.

Other top Binghamton performers on the men’s team included freshman Jon King, who was second in the high jump (6-6 ¼). Finishing third in their events were senior Mike Jennings in the 500 (1:05.87), junior Chris Fernandez in the 800 (1:54.53) and freshman Cameron Black in the 60 hurdles (8.22).

On the women’s side, senior Jessica Hennig was second in the 400 (55.49) and junior Erika Kisel was the runner up in the 500 (1:15.96). Senior Ashley AuPont tied for second in the high jump (5-5 ¼).

Junior Alexis Murray led five medalists in the triple jump with a second-place distance of (38-7). Fellow junior Alexx Baum was third in the triple jump (38-7) and freshman Kierra Arthur was third in the 60 hurdles (8.88).

Binghamton heads to the ECAC/IC4A Championships March 2-3 at Boston University.

Top Men’s Performers

Temi Bajulaiye, 1st, 500 (1:05.66)
Jon King, 2nd, High Jump (6-6 ¼)
Mike Jennings, 3rd, 500 (1:05.87)
Cameron Black, 3rd, 60 Hurdles (8.22) IC4A
Chris Fernandez, 3rd, 800 (1:54.53) IC4A
Jeff Martinez, 4th, 3,000 (8:30.38)
Casey Gilbert, 4th, 400 (49.31)
Ben Snodgrass, 5th, Mile (4:17.81)
Collin Frost, 5th, 3,000 (8:31.22)
Zach Keefer, 6th, 400 (49.89)
Pat Heikklia, 6th, Shotput (49-8 ¼)
Anthony Gaetani, 6th, 3,000 (8:33.07)
Eric Ziegler, 7th, 60 (7.15)
Chris Ramsey, 7th, Triple Jump (45-3 ½)
Vasili Papastrat, 8th, 3,000 (8:35.51)

Top Women’s Performers

Jessica Hennig, 2nd, 400 (55.49) ECAC
Erika Kisel, 2nd, 500 (1:15.96) ECAC
Alexis Murray, 2nd, Triple Jump (38-7)
Ashley AuPont, T2nd, High Jump (5-5 ¼)
Alexx Baum, 3rd, Triple Jump (38-7)
Kierra Arthur, 3rd, 60 Hurdles (8.88)
Kierra Arthur, 6th, Triple Jump (36-9 3/4)
Caysie Capano, 6th, Shotput (38-6)
Tori Shaffer, 6th, High Jump (5-2 ¼)
Sarah Wickes, 7th, Triple Jump (36-3 ½)
Kathleen Klein, 7th, 400 (58.92)
Ivory Taussig, 7th, 60 (7.89)
Tonika Forrester, 8th, Triple Jump (35-8 ¾)
Ashley AuPont, 8th, 60 Hurdles (9.22)
Nina Sarmiento, 8th, 500 (1:18.26)
Ivory Taussig, 8th, 200 (25.59)