Worcester, MA- The 2024 stretch of the Men's Track and Field season kicked off today in Springfield at the Massasoit Classic. The team sent a skilled squad into action after being away from meets for over a month while on holiday break. Junior Brodie Jacques (Rehoboth, MA) remained in top form over the stretch, helping to lead the Lancers in a number of events. As a team, Worcester State recorded 16 points for a 5th place finish at the meet.
Things started fast for Worcester as Jacques claimed fourth in the 60m, crossing in a blazing 7.11 seconds. Just .04 seconds behind was sophomore Seth Boudreau (Douglas, MA) who claimed the 5th spot in the event. Both sprinters would also compete in the long jump with Jacques claiming the 10th spot with a 5.73m jump as Boudreau would land in 16th with a measurement of 5.47m. Also competing were first year Nolan Clarke (Mansfield, MA) and junior Giovanni Casiano (Oxford, MA) who landed in 18th and 19th respectively. Clarke would record a distance of 5.28m and Casiano was marked at 5.21m. Continuing on the sprinting piece of the track was first year Pius Baidoo (Worcester, MA) who claimed 22nd in the 200m with a time of 25.23 and sophomore Alan Gomez (Clinton, MA) who crossed in 28th with a 26.05 seconds. Rounding out the short sprints was first year Jax Christman (Lancaster, MA) and senior Anthony Paolucci (Billerica, MA) in the 400m. Christman would finish in 17th with a 59.68 while Paolucci would end in 20th at a time of 64.69.
In the middle distance range, sophomore Andrew Stokes (Wilmington, MA) would grab a top 10 finish, coming in 9th, in the 800m in a time of 2:34.62. Senior Matt Talbot (Belchertown, MA) would double that distance with a time of 5:05.69 for 7th in the mile along with first year Jacksen Bolduc (Auburn, MA) who finished in 11th with a time of 5:28.79.
Going for the long run on the day was sophomore Alex Matsuyasu (Newton, MA) who went the distance for 5th in the 5,000m in a time of 18:38.38.
The field events were highlighted by the throwing forces of the program. First year Garrett Papierski (Webster, MA) would throw 11.98m for 8th in the weight throw to partner with an 11th place finish on an 11.52m toss in the shot put. Also doing duel duty was fellow first year Daniel Butler (Tyngsboro, MA) and junior Max O'Connor (Dedham, MA). Butler would claim 19th, on a 9.92m toss in the shot, and 20th, off a 9.42m throw in the weight while O'connor would throw for 11.23m for 14th in weight and 16th with a 10.41m in the shot put. Doing single service in the weight throw were seniors Jack Houlihan (Rutland, MA) and Matthew Long (East Bridgewater, MA). Houlihan would end in 9th after a 11.94m mark and Long would finish in 11th with a 11.50m measurement.
The Lancers return to action next Saturday, January 27th, when they journey to Wesleyan to compete in the Wesleyan Indoor Invite.