Princeton University Athletics
Princeton University
Ivy League Heptagonal Championships
Players Mentioned
Ivy League Champions! Men's Indoor Track & Field Wins at Cornell
February 28, 2016 | Men's Track and Field
ITHACA, N.Y. (2/28/16) - It was another spectacular finish as Princeton won its 19th Ivy League Heptagonal Indoor Track & Field Championship, upending Cornell in its own building.
Princeton won with a 23-point win over Cornell, 165-142 after a tremendous Day 2 that saw three 1-2 finishes and four additional victories. The Tigers sat in third place after Day 1 with 25 points, seven points back from Cornell.
“This was probably the finest team win we have ever had,” said Fred Samara, the William M. Weaver Jr. '34 Head Coach of Men's Track & Field. “We were predicted to lose to a great Cornell team in their house by 30-40 points. But everyone underestimated the heart and determination of the Tigers!”
Sophomore Garrett O'Toole was the runner-up in the mile. Sophomore Zachary Albright held the lead up until the final lap before O'Toole came along the outside and claimed second at 4:14.08.
A second-place finish by Greg Caldwell in the 60-meter hurdles grabbed Princeton another eight points as the Tigers moved into second place 53-41, behind Cornell. Caldwell clocked 7.95 in the race, as one of just two that finished in under eight seconds.
The first win of the afternoon was a 1-2 punch from junior Chris Cook and sophomore Mitchel Charles in the shot put. Cook's winning throw of 17.79 (58-4.50) came on his fourth attempt while Charles had his biggest throw on his fifth try, launching the shot to 17.71 (58-1.25). They were the only two throwers to reach 58 feet.
Junior Ray Mennin quickly followed with a victory in the 400. He won at 47.96, a facility record. Sophomore Josh Freeman was just nudged at the finish line to put him fifth with a time of 48.72 as the pair gained 12 points in the event.
After eight events the Tigers moved into first place with 71 points, with Cornell holding second with 65.
It was all tied up at 71-71 after the triple jump as the Big Red got six points with a third-place finish.
One event later Princeton went back on top with freshman Christian Fryer-Davis taking fourth in the 500 at 1:04.87, while Cornell took fifth.
The 60-meter dash put two of Princeton's best against five of Cornell's – with Harvard adding one to the mix. It was the Orange & Black killing the race, as freshman Charles Volker won his first individual Ivy Heps title with a school record of 6.73 and sophomore Carrington Akosa second at 6.80 for 18 points. Cornell went 3-4-5-6 for 13 points, 93-86.
Sophomore Joshua Ingalls claimed his first individual Ivy Heps title with a victory in the 800. He ran 1:51.59 to take first, while classmate Eric Schulz was fourth at 1:53.41. After 12 events, Princeton led Cornell 107-88.
Another 1-2 jab came in the 1,000 with sophomore Noah Kauppila winning the event and senior Luke Brahm the runner-up. Kauppila clocked 2:27.78 while Brahm posted a 2:28.51 to further expand the Tigers lead 125-89 after 13.
Akosa quieted the Big Red but taking another sprints win. He set a meet record to win his second consecutive 200 at 21.56. The victory put Princeton up by 37 with three relays, high jump and heptathlon remaining. Akosa was named the Most Outstanding Track Performer of the Meet, in a vote by the league's head coaches.
O'Toole led off the distance medley relay that finished fourth, one place behind Cornell. O'Toole, junior Bryant Switzer, junior Stephen Rossettie and and anchor Kauppila finished in 10:03.00 as the lead became just 29 points.
Senior Jake Scinto was the runner-up in the heptathlon with 5,105 points. He was first in the 60 (6.99) and long jump (7.22), second in the high jump (2.02) and third in the shot put (12.20) to sit in first place after Day 1. Today he was fifth in the 1,000(2:55.20), ninth in the pole vault (3.55) and 10th in the hurdles (9.16) to finish behind Cornell's multi-eventer and make the lead 27 for the Tigers.
Junior Xavier Bledsoe PR'ed in the high jump at the most appropriate time. He won the event – his first Ivy Heps title with a 2.13 (6-11.75). Only three jumpers remained, trying for 2.13. Along with Bledsoe was a jumper from Penn – and yes, one from Cornell. Bledsoe cleared the height on this second attempt, Penn's jumper on his third and Cornell's jumper could not get over the bar. However with the third- and fourth-place finishers the Big Red also claimed 10 points in the event. With just two relays remaining Princeton had a 27-point edge over Cornell.
Shulz, Brahm, Ingalls and sophomore Jared Lee did their job in the 4x800 relay. The relay clocked 7:37.27 to take second place behind Harvard. Cornell was fifth as the lead expanded to 33.
A win by the Big Red in the final event, 4x400 relay, did nothing for their cause as Princeton already had the title in hand.
Princeton took the title with a 23-point win over Cornell, 165-142 (20 events).