From NYU Athletics
The New York University men's track & field team finished in sixth place at the University Athletic Association (UAA) Outdoor Championships, which were hosted by the University of Chicago on Saturday-Sunday, April 22-23, in Chicago, IL.
NYU totaled 64 points over the weekend, finishing behind fifth-placed Emory University (78). Carnegie Mellon University claimed the Association title with 186 points.
The Violets made their mark from the outset on Sunday, as William Lee captured the high jump title. The freshman tied the NYU record by clearing a height of 2.02m. The record is now held by Lee and Irv Mondschein, who set it in 1949. Lee was the only UAA athlete to break the 2-meter barrier.
"He showed up really, really big today," said Head Coach Erison Hurtault. "He had an injury in the first outdoor meet at Emory. He only got to jump once before today and was able to tie the school record. Awesome day for him. He showed how mature an athlete he is by coming back from that injury to be on top of the UAA."
Budd Brown, last year's 400m champion, took the bronze in this year's 400m dash. His time of 21.91 was only two-tenths of a second behind the winner, Case Western Reserve University's Nathan Wahner. Adding to his hardware, the senior captain also secured third in the 200m dash, clocking another season-best time of 48.65.
"He finishes his UAA career very well," said Hurtault. "He competed well. I am proud of him."
Fellow senior captain Caleb Su repeated his performance of last year in the 100m dash, placing fifth again with a time of 11.29.
Putting more points on the board for NYU was Neil Saddler. The junior finished fourth in the 5,000m by recording a time of 15:04.50.
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Sophomore Daniel Sovich also scored for the Violets with his sixth-place finish in the 400m hurdles finals, posting a career-best time of 58.07.
"That was exceptional for Sovich," said Hurtault. "He improved from last year. Next time he will be looking to get to the podium."
- The 4x400m relay squad of freshman Grayson Hepp and seniors Curtis Mann, Fred Lam, and Brown took fourth with a season-best time of 3:20.98.
- NYU also competed in the 4x100m relay (junior Tyler Whitehouse, Su, freshman Robin Takami, and Brown) and finished in fifth, clocking another season-best time of 44.14.
"Today was a testament to our leaders, the seniors and what they are doing for the team," said Hurtault. "We always want to finish higher as a team, but everyone gave the best effort they could. I am so proud of them."