BY NYIKA CORBETT

In print | Published March 6, 2008

Coach Pete Carroll described the contingent of Swarthmore men’s indoor track team that competed in the Centennial Conference Championships this past weekend in a few precise words: “Small army. Big heart.”

Although the Swarthmore plague and a variety of injuries left the team somewhat sparse coming into the Championship meet, a steadfast group of men represented their team in each of the four relay events in addition to three individual competitions.

Connor Darby ‘09 ran a 1:59 in the 800m dash, a time good enough for a seventh place finish. As fellow 800 meter runner and 2008 women’s silver-medalist Caitlin Mullarky ‘09 described Darby’s race, “It was a pretty tough heat. A couple of guys took it out fast, and Darby was patient—running controlled. So he got caught in a bad spot.” Although many collegiate runners would be thrilled with placing in the top ten at a conference meet, Darby has higher goals. “It was a disappointing day, but I know that I’m in a good position for outdoor,” he said.

Two Swarthmore seniors, Micah Katz and Jonathan Shoop, represented the distance men in the 3000. Katz had an outstanding day, running a personal record of 9:25.

When asked about his race, Katz said, “It was pretty sweet, like a cheetah on an African savannah.” Shoop, not impressed with his own race, was very proud of Katz’s performance and was “really happy to be there for Mickey during the race,” as the seniors worked together through the first half of the 15 laps.

“It’s always great running in the relays, because you really feel like you’re part of a team effort,” said senior Ross “Lil’ Dutch” Weller who ran on the 4×800, 4×400, and the mile leg of the Distance Medley Relay.

Racing his last indoor meet after an impressive career at Swarthmore, Weller was a bit nostalgic: “I was happy to run with some of the younger guys—passing the baton to the future of the Swarthmore track program.”

The 4×800 team was a dynamite lineup of Weller, Andrew VanBuren ’10, Dan Kurz ’11 and Seth Green ’10. The same four men also provided the leg-power for the Distance Medley Relay, with VanBuren running a wicked 1200 lead off, followed by Kurz in the 400, Green in the 800, and Weller bringing the guys home with the mile. Darby, Kurz, Weller and Chris Mayer-Bacon ’11 created the 4×400. Swarthmore sprinters Yongjun Heo ’09, Emmanuel Afrifa ’11, Kurz and Mayer-Bacon rocked to a quick 7th place finish in the 4×200.

VanBuren gave a breakdown of the indoor season: “I felt like there was some good bonding this season. You can’t get hot and sweaty every day with this group of guys and not be close.”

With the indoor season fresh in its memory, the Swarthmore track team is getting geared up for the outdoor season and their spring break training trip in Florida.

This Friday the men will be up against some tough Division I competition in the Snowbird Invitational hosted by Florida State University. In Coach Carroll’s words, “We’re going down to Florida, looking to get healthy and get the seniors, as well as the rest of the team, going again.”

« RETURN TO SPORTS

« PREV ARTICLE | NEXT ARTICLE »