Moriarty 800m run fourth fastest in nation

This weekend, Columbia track and field took another step in the right direction at the Joe Hilton UNC Classic, hosted by the University of North Carolina, and at the Mason Spring Invite at George Mason University. Middle-and long-distance squads posted excellent times in the first meet for which athletes raced their specialties, and both sprints and jumps further acclimated to outdoor competition, in anticipation of this weekend’s Auburn meet where they will compete in preferred events.

At North Carolina, junior Jeff Moriarty dominated the men’s 800m field—the closest competitor was a full two seconds behind—posting a 1:48.21. That mark currently stands at No. 4 in the NCAA, and verifies Moriarty’s return to the form witnessed last spring as well as his status as a national threat. Fellow Lions made statements of their own, with senior Mike Mark taking the No. 2 spot in 1:50.32 and junior Matt Stewart placing seventh in 1:52.57. Senior Chris Hays was the runner up in the second heat with a 1:52.95.

Junior Jacqueline Drouin mixed it up with some of the nation’s best in the women’s 1500m, placing seventh with a personal best of 4:23.46. Rolling with the momentum of a successful indoor campaign, Drouin has continued to improve with each effort outdoors—her 1500m time currently tops the league. Freshman Caroline McDonough showcased her range, complementing her 16:26.51 5k from Stanford with a 4:28.94 here to take 10th.

“For them [Moriarity and Drouin] to go out there and run that fast in the first open race of the season is incredible,” assistant coach Zach Richard said. “This is just the starting point—it’s a sign of good things to come.”

In Virginia, Sharay Hale excelled in the 100m and 200m, comfortably taking both events in 11.91 and 24.18, respectively. Both currently stand as the fastest times for each distance in the league. Though she’s already punched her ticket to the East Regional meet with a 53.85 400m at Florida last week, she’ll will return to that distance next weekend at Auburn. Kyra Caldwell had another solid go in the women’s 400m hurdles, winning with a 1:00.61 to go along with last week’s 1:00.54. Freshman Susan Rodriguez took the runner up spot with a 1:02.97.

On the field, freshman Uju Ofoche had a season best 5.79m in the women’s long jump, earning her second place overall. The leap currently situates her at third in the league. Freshman QueenDenise Okeke and sophomore Uzunma Udeh took fifth and sixth in the triple jump with marks of 11.72m and 11.58m, respectively. Sophomore Monique Roberts captured a second win in the women’s high jump in just as many outings with a 1.70m. She currently stands at third within the league.

Next weekend, distance heads back to Princeton while sprints and field events will travel to Alabama. Both will seek additional progress before the Penn Relay Carnival.