Season REVIEW
2007 CROSS COUNTRY REVIEW MINUTEMEN TAKE SECOND AT DARTMOUTH INVITATIONAL UMass opened the season with a second place finish at the Dartmouth Invitational held at the Hanover Country Club. Sophomore Andrew McCann led the way for the Minutemen, placing fifth overall of 73 runners with a time of 26:18.50. Jesse Regnier was right behind to take seventh overall in 26:29.90. Sophomore Daniel Barry also finished in the top ten, with a time of 26:41.70. UMASS WINS AT OPENING HOME MEET Propeled by freshman Jeff Hill’s second-place finish as well as four runners in the top-10, the Minutemen took first place on Saturday in their only home meet of the season. UMass topped Maine, UConn, Colgate, and Vermont in their first place victory. Hill crossed the finish line in 25:01, just missing the course record by three seconds. Patrick McAllister took fourth overall (25:08), Jon Pierce placed seventh (25:16), and Kris Carle ranked ninth (25:36). JEFF HILL GRABS ROOKIE OF THE WEEK UMass freshman Jeff Hill showed no nerves running in his first collegiate meet, and was honored by the Atlantic 10 with a Co-Rookie of the Week award after leading UMass to a first place finish at home against Maine, Vermont, Colgate, and UConn. MINUTEMEN RANK 11TH AT HISTORIC PAUL SHORT INVITATIONAL Freshman Jeff Hill led the way for UMass again at the Paul Short Invitational hosted by Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pa. The Minutemen placed 11th of 41 of the best teams in the nation. Hill ranked 52nd of 268 runners with a time of 25:22 to finish first for the Minutemen. Daniel Barry crossed right behind him, with a time of 25:23, and placed 54th overall.
third for the second consecutive year at the Atlantic 10 Championships hosted by Saint Joseph’s University. The Minutemen tied Duquesne with 91 points. McCann finished seventh overall (25:53) while Regnier took 13th (26:06). Daniel Barry ranked 22nd overall for the Minutemen. MEN’S CROSS COUNTRY FINISHES 11TH AT NCAA REGIONAL MEET The Minutemen ranked 11th at the NCAA Regional Qualifier in Boston, moving up three spots from the 2006 season. UMass was led by freshman Jeff Hill with a 36th place finish, and a time of 30:57.05. Jonathan Pierce followed Hill with a time of 31:10.25 to rank 47th overall.
Season REVIEW
2007-08 MEN’S TRACK & FIELD 2008-09 MEN’S TRACK & FIELD
JESSE REGNIER EARNS STUDENT-ATHLETE OF THE YEAR In voting conducted among the Atlantic 10 sports information directors, Jesse Regnier was named Atlantic 10 Student Athlete of the Year in men’s cross country. Regnier finished second for Massachusetts, and 13th overall, at the A-10 Championships with a time of 26:06.0, helping the team to a third place finish. Regnier sported a 3.64 GPA in Environmental Design. MINUTEMEN FINISH SEASON STRONG AT IC4A CHAMPIONSHIPS Andrew McCann headed the men’s team and led the Minutemen to a fifth place finish at the IC4A Championship Race in the Bronx. UMass greatly improved on their 11th place finish from the 2006 season. McCann ranked 12th overall, with a time of 25:35. Right behind was freshman Jeff Hill, who finished 15th overall, and sophomore Nicolai Naranjo with a 26th place finish. The Minutemen graduate two senior runners—Joe Czupryna and Ryan Durkin.
UMASS TAKES THIRD AT NEW ENGLAND CHAMPIONSHIPS UMass earned a bronze medal competing against 42 teams at the New England Championships—the team’s highest finish since 1993. At Boston’s Franklin Park, sophomore Andrew McCann led the way for UMass, finishing the race in 25:25 for a third place finish of 282 runners. The next runners to finish for the Minutemen were Daniel Barry and Kris Carle, ranking 21st and 22nd with times of 25:49 and 25:50 respectively. KRIS CARLE NAMED ROOKIE OF THE WEEK Following a strong performance at the New England Championships, freshman Kris Carle was named Rookie of the Week by the Atlantic 10. Carle was the top rookie runner for UMass, finishing 22nd overall among 282 runners in 25:50 to help the Minutemen place third, the highest team finish since taking second in 1993. UMASS RANKS THIRD AT ALBANY INVITATIONAL Pete Fortunato ranked third overall for UMass as the Minutemen came in third among 26 teams at the Albany Invitational. Fortunato crossed the finish line in 25:51.7 for an 18th place finish at his second-ever career meet. Following Fortunato was Nicolai Naranjo with a time of 25:53.7 for a 20th place finish. Josh Booke also ranked among the top-30 with a time of 26:11.6.
Jesse Regnier was named the A-10 XC Student-Athlete of the Year in 2007.
MINUTEMEN TIE FOR THIRD AT ATLANTIC 10 CHAMPIONSHIPS Andrew McCann and Jesse Regnier earned All-Conference honors as the men’s cross country team ranked
Season Book Review Record
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Season REVIEW
2007-08 MEN’S CROSS COUNTRY 2008 MEN’S CROSS COUNTRY
2008 TRACK & FIELD REVIEW MINUTEMEN SHOW VERSATILITY IN 2008 The 2007-08 UMass men’s track and field team demonstrated their depth and versatility by scoring points in short sprints, long races, and field events. Although Coach Ken O’Brien seemed disappointed with the team’s indoor performance, the squad’s ability to bounce back and compete during the outdoor season showed their strength and determination. Several individuals stepped up throughout the year to contribute to the team’s success. MCCANN RUNS PAST A-10 RECORD Andrew McCann set an Atlantic 10 record in the 10,000 meter run with a time of 30:04.87 at the outdoor Atlantic 10 Championships in 2008. His time smashed the record of 30:35.82 set by La Salle’s Dan McGarth in 2005. With that mark, McCann also became the third fastest 10K competitor in UMass history and set a new facility record at the UMass Track & Field Complex. McCann went on to rank 12th overall at the New England Championships, with a time of 31:43.20. REGNIER REACHES NCAA MEET IN STEEPLECHASE Junior Jesse Regnier reached the NCAA East Regional Meet in the grueling 3,000 meter steeplechase. Regnier finished 24th overall with a time of 9:29.51, after ranking 11th in his first heat and was the only member of the Minutemen squad to reach the NCAA’s. At the IC4A Championships, the Hampden, Mass. native finished 22nd overall with a season-best time of 9:17.97. To start the outdoor season, Regnier finished second in this event at the UConn Invitational. Pushing Regnier this season was freshman Sean Duncan. At the New England’s, Duncan ranked fourth in the steeplechase with a time of 9:26.39. Also, at the historic Larry Ellis Invitational, Duncan finished 21st overall with a time of 9:26.76. FRESHMEN TAKE ON DECATHLON Freshmen Chris Dzidek and Daniel Schwartz stepped up to compete in the decathlon during the 2007-08 track season. At the New England Championships, Dzidek ranked ninth overall with a total 5,316 points, finishing third in the 110 meter hurdles, high jump, and pole vault competitions. Schwartz finished third at the Atlantic 10 Championships with the most points all season—5,654. He capped off his performance with a first place finish in the 1500 meter run (4:28.79) and third in the pole vault with a height of 12-feet, 3.5 inches. At the same championship meet, Dzidek took fifth place overall, crossing the finish line second in the 110 meter hurdles (16.66) and the discus throw (109-11).
Nathan Barksdale placed 7th in the 100m at the 2008 New England Championships.
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MINUTEMEN GO THE DISTANCE During the 2007-08 season, the Minutemen possessed the most depth in the 5000 meter run. At the New England Championships, sophomore Nicolai Naranjo crossed the finish line first with a team-best time of 14:22.57. The next week, the Essex Fells, N.J. native ranked eighth at the IC4A Championships with a time of 14:24.77. During the indoor season, Naranjo ranked fourth at the Atlantic 10 Championships with a season-best time of 14:42.27. Senior Nils Fischer and sophomore Jonathan Pierce also proved themselves in the 5K run, finishing third and sixth at the New England’s, respectively. Fischer crossed the finish line in 14:29.40, while Pierce recorded a time of 14:36.84. At the IC4A’s Fischer ranked 25th, and Pierce placed 37th.
COTTO, RELAY TEAM CONTINUES TO IMPRESS Sophomore Tyler Cotto continued to contribute to the Minutemen’s success in the 110 meter hurdles and as a member of the 4X100 meter relay team. In the 110 hurdles, Cotto ranked seveth at the Atlantic 10 Championships with a time of 15.35. At the prestigious Larry Ellis Invitational, Cotto finished first with a time of 15.82. During the indoor season, Cotto ranked sixth in the 55 meter hurdles with a time of 7.70. As a member of the relay team, Cotto went to the New England Championships with teammates Brian Miller, Sam Laorenza, and Nathan Barksdale to finish fourth overall with a time of 42.94. At the IC4A’s, Cotto, Barksdale, Miller, and Ian Hackney ranked 22nd with a time of 43/06. With a time of 42.30, Cotto, Hackney, Miller, and Barksdale ranked fourth with a time of 42.30. The team’s best time of the season (42.12) came at the Larry Ellis Invitational for a second place finish. BARKSDALE EXCELS ON TRACK Next season, the Minutemen will have to deal with a huge loss in Nathan Barksdale, from Valparaiso, Indiana, as he was both a vocal leader and central point scorer. Both a member of the 4X100 meter relay team and UMass’ dominant dasher, Barksdale finished his season at the New England Championships, where he ranked seventh in the 100 meter dash. His season-best time in that event came at the Atlantic 10 Championships, where he ranked fifth with a time of 10.94. In the 200 meter, Barksdale finished eighth at the A-10’s with a time of 22.58. As a senior leader both on the track and in the classroom, his presence will be missed at UMass. FRONTRUNNERS FINISH PHENOMENALLY Michael Perrotta and Sam Laorenza know how to finish strong in the 400 meter dash. The two combined for five top-five finishes. At the Atlantic 10 Championships, Perrotta ran a team-best 49.23 for a seventh place finish. Laorenza’s best time (49.46) came at the UMass Invitational to rank fourth overall. At that event, Perrotta, ranked second and crossed the finish line .20 seconds ahead of Laorenza. To start the season, Laorenza and Perrotta finished third and fourth, respectively, with times .30 apart.
2008 INDOOR RESULTS 1/19 1/25 2/1 2/8 2/16 3/1 3/9
Gotham Cup Reebok Games URI Invitational BU Valentine Invitational Atlantic 10 Championships New England Championships IC4A Championships
2008 OUTDOOR RESULTS 4/5 4/12 4/17 4/19 4/26 5/3 5/10 5/17 5/31
UConn Invitational UMass Invitational Holy Cross Multi-Event Larry Ellis Invitational UNH Pre-Conference Meet Atlantic 10 Championships New England Championships IC4A Championships NCAA East Regional
Season Review Record Book
NTS 3rd of 11 3rd of 7 NTS 5th of 10 12th of 31 NTS
4th of 8 3rd of 9 NTS NTS NTS 4th of 11 7th of 37 30th of 30 NTS
third for the second consecutive year at the Atlantic 10 Championships hosted by Saint Joseph’s University. The Minutemen tied Duquesne with 91 points. McCann finished seventh overall (25:53) while Regnier took 13th (26:06). Daniel Barry ranked 22nd overall for the Minutemen. MEN’S CROSS COUNTRY FINISHES 11TH AT NCAA REGIONAL MEET The Minutemen ranked 11th at the NCAA Regional Qualifier in Boston, moving up three spots from the 2006 season. UMass was led by freshman Jeff Hill with a 36th place finish, and a time of 30:57.05. Jonathan Pierce followed Hill with a time of 31:10.25 to rank 47th overall.
Season REVIEW
2007-08 MEN’S TRACK & FIELD 2008-09 MEN’S TRACK & FIELD
JESSE REGNIER EARNS STUDENT-ATHLETE OF THE YEAR In voting conducted among the Atlantic 10 sports information directors, Jesse Regnier was named Atlantic 10 Student Athlete of the Year in men’s cross country. Regnier finished second for Massachusetts, and 13th overall, at the A-10 Championships with a time of 26:06.0, helping the team to a third place finish. Regnier sported a 3.64 GPA in Environmental Design. MINUTEMEN FINISH SEASON STRONG AT IC4A CHAMPIONSHIPS Andrew McCann headed the men’s team and led the Minutemen to a fifth place finish at the IC4A Championship Race in the Bronx. UMass greatly improved on their 11th place finish from the 2006 season. McCann ranked 12th overall, with a time of 25:35. Right behind was freshman Jeff Hill, who finished 15th overall, and sophomore Nicolai Naranjo with a 26th place finish. The Minutemen graduate two senior runners—Joe Czupryna and Ryan Durkin.
UMASS TAKES THIRD AT NEW ENGLAND CHAMPIONSHIPS UMass earned a bronze medal competing against 42 teams at the New England Championships—the team’s highest finish since 1993. At Boston’s Franklin Park, sophomore Andrew McCann led the way for UMass, finishing the race in 25:25 for a third place finish of 282 runners. The next runners to finish for the Minutemen were Daniel Barry and Kris Carle, ranking 21st and 22nd with times of 25:49 and 25:50 respectively. KRIS CARLE NAMED ROOKIE OF THE WEEK Following a strong performance at the New England Championships, freshman Kris Carle was named Rookie of the Week by the Atlantic 10. Carle was the top rookie runner for UMass, finishing 22nd overall among 282 runners in 25:50 to help the Minutemen place third, the highest team finish since taking second in 1993. UMASS RANKS THIRD AT ALBANY INVITATIONAL Pete Fortunato ranked third overall for UMass as the Minutemen came in third among 26 teams at the Albany Invitational. Fortunato crossed the finish line in 25:51.7 for an 18th place finish at his second-ever career meet. Following Fortunato was Nicolai Naranjo with a time of 25:53.7 for a 20th place finish. Josh Booke also ranked among the top-30 with a time of 26:11.6.
Jesse Regnier was named the A-10 XC Student-Athlete of the Year in 2007.
MINUTEMEN TIE FOR THIRD AT ATLANTIC 10 CHAMPIONSHIPS Andrew McCann and Jesse Regnier earned All-Conference honors as the men’s cross country team ranked
Season Book Review Record
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Season REVIEW
2007-08 MEN’S CROSS COUNTRY 2008 MEN’S CROSS COUNTRY
2008 TRACK & FIELD REVIEW MINUTEMEN SHOW VERSATILITY IN 2008 The 2007-08 UMass men’s track and field team demonstrated their depth and versatility by scoring points in short sprints, long races, and field events. Although Coach Ken O’Brien seemed disappointed with the team’s indoor performance, the squad’s ability to bounce back and compete during the outdoor season showed their strength and determination. Several individuals stepped up throughout the year to contribute to the team’s success. MCCANN RUNS PAST A-10 RECORD Andrew McCann set an Atlantic 10 record in the 10,000 meter run with a time of 30:04.87 at the outdoor Atlantic 10 Championships in 2008. His time smashed the record of 30:35.82 set by La Salle’s Dan McGarth in 2005. With that mark, McCann also became the third fastest 10K competitor in UMass history and set a new facility record at the UMass Track & Field Complex. McCann went on to rank 12th overall at the New England Championships, with a time of 31:43.20. REGNIER REACHES NCAA MEET IN STEEPLECHASE Junior Jesse Regnier reached the NCAA East Regional Meet in the grueling 3,000 meter steeplechase. Regnier finished 24th overall with a time of 9:29.51, after ranking 11th in his first heat and was the only member of the Minutemen squad to reach the NCAA’s. At the IC4A Championships, the Hampden, Mass. native finished 22nd overall with a season-best time of 9:17.97. To start the outdoor season, Regnier finished second in this event at the UConn Invitational. Pushing Regnier this season was freshman Sean Duncan. At the New England’s, Duncan ranked fourth in the steeplechase with a time of 9:26.39. Also, at the historic Larry Ellis Invitational, Duncan finished 21st overall with a time of 9:26.76. FRESHMEN TAKE ON DECATHLON Freshmen Chris Dzidek and Daniel Schwartz stepped up to compete in the decathlon during the 2007-08 track season. At the New England Championships, Dzidek ranked ninth overall with a total 5,316 points, finishing third in the 110 meter hurdles, high jump, and pole vault competitions. Schwartz finished third at the Atlantic 10 Championships with the most points all season—5,654. He capped off his performance with a first place finish in the 1500 meter run (4:28.79) and third in the pole vault with a height of 12-feet, 3.5 inches. At the same championship meet, Dzidek took fifth place overall, crossing the finish line second in the 110 meter hurdles (16.66) and the discus throw (109-11).
Nathan Barksdale placed 7th in the 100m at the 2008 New England Championships.
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MINUTEMEN GO THE DISTANCE During the 2007-08 season, the Minutemen possessed the most depth in the 5000 meter run. At the New England Championships, sophomore Nicolai Naranjo crossed the finish line first with a team-best time of 14:22.57. The next week, the Essex Fells, N.J. native ranked eighth at the IC4A Championships with a time of 14:24.77. During the indoor season, Naranjo ranked fourth at the Atlantic 10 Championships with a season-best time of 14:42.27. Senior Nils Fischer and sophomore Jonathan Pierce also proved themselves in the 5K run, finishing third and sixth at the New England’s, respectively. Fischer crossed the finish line in 14:29.40, while Pierce recorded a time of 14:36.84. At the IC4A’s Fischer ranked 25th, and Pierce placed 37th.
COTTO, RELAY TEAM CONTINUES TO IMPRESS Sophomore Tyler Cotto continued to contribute to the Minutemen’s success in the 110 meter hurdles and as a member of the 4X100 meter relay team. In the 110 hurdles, Cotto ranked seveth at the Atlantic 10 Championships with a time of 15.35. At the prestigious Larry Ellis Invitational, Cotto finished first with a time of 15.82. During the indoor season, Cotto ranked sixth in the 55 meter hurdles with a time of 7.70. As a member of the relay team, Cotto went to the New England Championships with teammates Brian Miller, Sam Laorenza, and Nathan Barksdale to finish fourth overall with a time of 42.94. At the IC4A’s, Cotto, Barksdale, Miller, and Ian Hackney ranked 22nd with a time of 43/06. With a time of 42.30, Cotto, Hackney, Miller, and Barksdale ranked fourth with a time of 42.30. The team’s best time of the season (42.12) came at the Larry Ellis Invitational for a second place finish. BARKSDALE EXCELS ON TRACK Next season, the Minutemen will have to deal with a huge loss in Nathan Barksdale, from Valparaiso, Indiana, as he was both a vocal leader and central point scorer. Both a member of the 4X100 meter relay team and UMass’ dominant dasher, Barksdale finished his season at the New England Championships, where he ranked seventh in the 100 meter dash. His season-best time in that event came at the Atlantic 10 Championships, where he ranked fifth with a time of 10.94. In the 200 meter, Barksdale finished eighth at the A-10’s with a time of 22.58. As a senior leader both on the track and in the classroom, his presence will be missed at UMass. FRONTRUNNERS FINISH PHENOMENALLY Michael Perrotta and Sam Laorenza know how to finish strong in the 400 meter dash. The two combined for five top-five finishes. At the Atlantic 10 Championships, Perrotta ran a team-best 49.23 for a seventh place finish. Laorenza’s best time (49.46) came at the UMass Invitational to rank fourth overall. At that event, Perrotta, ranked second and crossed the finish line .20 seconds ahead of Laorenza. To start the season, Laorenza and Perrotta finished third and fourth, respectively, with times .30 apart.
2008 INDOOR RESULTS 1/19 1/25 2/1 2/8 2/16 3/1 3/9
Gotham Cup Reebok Games URI Invitational BU Valentine Invitational Atlantic 10 Championships New England Championships IC4A Championships
2008 OUTDOOR RESULTS 4/5 4/12 4/17 4/19 4/26 5/3 5/10 5/17 5/31
UConn Invitational UMass Invitational Holy Cross Multi-Event Larry Ellis Invitational UNH Pre-Conference Meet Atlantic 10 Championships New England Championships IC4A Championships NCAA East Regional
Season Review Record Book
NTS 3rd of 11 3rd of 7 NTS 5th of 10 12th of 31 NTS
4th of 8 3rd of 9 NTS NTS NTS 4th of 11 7th of 37 30th of 30 NTS
