PHILADELPHIA (3/20/04) - Led by strong efforts in the 400 and 800m runs, hurdles and relays the Saint Joseph's men's track and field team opened the outdoor season at the Penn Invitational at Franklin Field. Chris Koneski captured the 400m dash and senior Jerry Puryear won the 400m hurdles, while the Hawk relay squads captured the 4x400 and 4x800 respectively. Koneski circled the oval in 48.96 seconds to top a field of 30 runners. Puryear then ran 53.32 in the hurdles to win that event. In the relays, the 4x400 ran 3:19.05, while the 4x800 raced in a time of 8:26.4. The Hawks' 4x100 relay placed second in a time of 43.57. Other top finishes for SJU were delivered by Andrew Thomas and Doug Rick in the 400. Thomas finished third (1:55.77) and Rick, right on his tail, placed fourth (1:56.47). Joe Witiw placed second in the triple jump with a leap of 40-9.75.