Jan. 16, 2009

NEW YORK CITY, N.Y. - The Saint Joseph's men's track squad garnered eight top five performances at the NYC Gotham Cup on Friday evening hosted by the Armory Track & Field Center. All told, four Hawks qualified for the IC4As in their respective events.

Kevin McDonnell and James Jennings led the charge in the seeded portion of the 5,000-meter run. McDonnell's 14:58.02 was good for first, while Jennings was just behind in 15:00.06 for second place. Teammate Jonathan Sclafani secured fourth place in a time of 15:04.53.

The Mile Run highlighted two Hawks who qualified for IC4As in Brian Guterl (5th) and Steve Young (7th). Guterl crossed the line in 4:11.38 and Young in 4:14.07.

The distancemen also shined in the 3,000-meter run as Kyle Murray was second in 8:20.32 and Will Rowland was fifth in 8:28.02. Murray's time was under the IC4A standard.

In the 60-meter finals, Bobby Staten, who was seeded first entering the finals, earned second place in a time of 6.85. State qualified with a field-best 6.82. Tom DiNatale also qualified for the finals sprinting to 10th in 7.12.

The Distance Medley Relay passed the baton across the line in fourth, completing the event in a time of 10:31.07.

Saint Joseph's will be in action again when they participate in the Ursinus Invitational on Friday at 3:00 p.m.

Men's Results (* -- IC4A-qualifying time)

60m Finals
2. Bobby Staten    6.85*
10. Tom DiNatale    7.12

60m Prelims
1. Bobby Staten    6.82*
14. Tom DiNatale    7.17
31. Paul Barolette    7.32

400 meters
18. Drew Brandt    50.72
40. Christopher Lau    52.27
45. Dylan Wenik    52.48

500 meters
13. Jared Sabre    1:05.93
28. Brian Smith    1:08.28
32. Steven Philbrook    1:08.72

800 meters unseeded
8. Murphy O'Donnell    2:00.47
29. Logan Hohs    2:07.08

800 meters seeded
15. Jesse Brooks    2:00.29

1,000 meters
13. Luke Fischer    2:32.61
27. Brendan Kearney    2:35.91

Mile seeded
5. Brian Guterl    4:11.38*
7. Steve Young    4:14.07*

Mile unseeded
2. Ryan Birchmeier    4:25.88

3,000 meters seeded
2. Kyle Murray    8:20.32*
5. Will Rowland    8:28.02

3,000 meters unseeded
14. George Wittmann    8:56.92

5,000 meters seeded
1. Kevin McDonnell    14:58.04
2. Jimmy Jennings    15:00.06
4. Jonathan Sclafani    15:04.53

4x400m Relay
6. Saint Joseph's A    3:20.06
11. Saint Joseph's B    3:26.54

4x800m Relay
9. Saint Joseph's    8:14.63

Distance Medley Relay
4. Saint Joseph's    10:31.07

Long Jump
10. Victor DiNoia    6.09m
13. John DiPersio    5.99m
14. Evan Mitos    5.98m

Triple Jump
19. John DiPersio    11.95