Princeton University Athletics
Princeton University
Heptagonal Championships
Princeton Men in Front After First Day of Ivy League Heptagonals
February 25, 2006 | Men's Track and Field
Feb. 25, 2006
HANOVER, N.H. - Thanks to strong performances by a group of runners in the 3,000 meters and a standout freshman in the weight throw, the Princeton men's track team is in first place with 47 points after the first day of the 2006 Ivy League Heptagonal Indoor Championships at Dartmouth's Leverone Field House.
With four of 19 events scored (most finals are on Sunday), the Tigers are well ahead of second-place Cornell (23) and third-place Brown (15).
Freshman Alex Pessala won the first final of the meet for Princeton, taking the weight throw with an impressive toss of 57 feet, 9 3/4 inches. His throw was nearly a foot better than second-place David Howard of Brown.
In the only track final of the day, Princeton's David Nightingale led a strong Tiger contingent that took three of the top four spots in the 3,000 meters. Nightingale finished in 8:12.08, ahead of teammate Frank Macreery, who came in at 8:12.77. Michael Maag, a freshman, was fourth in 8:14.45.
In the pole vault, junior Andrew Park tied the fourth-best pole vault mark in Indoor Heps history at 16 feet, 8 3/4 inches. His mark tied Cornell's Evan Whitehall, but Whitehall earned the crown due to fewer misses.
The long jump final was also contested Saturday, with Princeton's Matt Brock and Derek Davis finishing fifth and sixth respectively.
In qualifying races for Sunday finals, Ray Lenihan had the best time in the 60-meter hurdles, running an 8.05.