2008 Woodie Awards
Men's track uses meets to gear up for A-10 Finals
Matt Pavao
Issue date: 2/1/08 Section: Sports
2/1/08 - The University of Rhode Island men's track and field team won its second meet of the year last week in preparation for the Atlantic 10 finals.
The Rams took first place at the 2008 Reebok Boston Indoor games on Friday night with 132 points, far ahead of second place Northeastern's total of 88. This victory came after a second place finish two weeks ago at home at the Sorlien Memorial Tournament.
When asked about the importance of these meets, head coach John Copeland admitted that they were more about getting ready for the end of the season.
"It's not important at all," Copeland said. "It's about gearing up for the championship at the end of the season. It's only the second meet this part of the season and it's for getting ready for later on."
These types of meets allow Copeland to find out how the team is looking so he puts the athletes in the right events.
"We rest some guys and put others in different events to see if they have other talents," Copeland said. "There is quite a bit of time to put everything together for the championship at the end of the season."
Seniors Yudehwheh Gbaa, Michael Bernardo and Thomas Barek all took first place in their events. Gbaa won the 55m hurdles and triple jump, Bernado picked up a win in the weight throw and Barek finished first in the 800m.
Other athletes who finished first in their respective events included junior Dan Hawkins and sophomore Nathan Ruchames in the one-mile event, sophomore Shawn Leonard in the high jump and freshman David Kenney in the 400m dash.
Despite the meet serving as a warm-up, Copeland was still happy to see his team do well and take first place.
"I'm very pleased with how they did," Copeland said. "The upper class kids did a good job, and some of our freshmen did a nice job as well."
Rhode Island will be competing tonight at home at the Rhody Mega Meet. The meet will hold more importance than the first two of the season.
"This is where it starts to get important," Copeland said. "There are only three weeks before the A-10s and we need to start to gear up for that. The guys need to get their qualifiers. I expect to win but if we lose then we are going to be in a very big hole."
The Rams took first place at the 2008 Reebok Boston Indoor games on Friday night with 132 points, far ahead of second place Northeastern's total of 88. This victory came after a second place finish two weeks ago at home at the Sorlien Memorial Tournament.
When asked about the importance of these meets, head coach John Copeland admitted that they were more about getting ready for the end of the season.
"It's not important at all," Copeland said. "It's about gearing up for the championship at the end of the season. It's only the second meet this part of the season and it's for getting ready for later on."
These types of meets allow Copeland to find out how the team is looking so he puts the athletes in the right events.
"We rest some guys and put others in different events to see if they have other talents," Copeland said. "There is quite a bit of time to put everything together for the championship at the end of the season."
Seniors Yudehwheh Gbaa, Michael Bernardo and Thomas Barek all took first place in their events. Gbaa won the 55m hurdles and triple jump, Bernado picked up a win in the weight throw and Barek finished first in the 800m.
Other athletes who finished first in their respective events included junior Dan Hawkins and sophomore Nathan Ruchames in the one-mile event, sophomore Shawn Leonard in the high jump and freshman David Kenney in the 400m dash.
Despite the meet serving as a warm-up, Copeland was still happy to see his team do well and take first place.
"I'm very pleased with how they did," Copeland said. "The upper class kids did a good job, and some of our freshmen did a nice job as well."
Rhode Island will be competing tonight at home at the Rhody Mega Meet. The meet will hold more importance than the first two of the season.
"This is where it starts to get important," Copeland said. "There are only three weeks before the A-10s and we need to start to gear up for that. The guys need to get their qualifiers. I expect to win but if we lose then we are going to be in a very big hole."