From Carnegie Mellon University Athletics
The Carnegie Mellon University men's track and field team opened
its 2015 season competing at the unscored Al Hall Freedom Games
hosted at Edinboro University amongst colleges from Divisions II
and III on Saturday, January 17.
Junior Jeff Chen (Pleasanton, Calif./Amador Valley),
competing in his first collegiate race, crossed the line of the
60-meter dash with a time of 7.09 seconds, topping
sophomore Andrew Chang's (Fairfax, Va./W.T. Woodson) school
record time of 7.11 set last season at the Ohio State Tune-up.
Senior Thomas Vandenberg (Mamaroneck, N.Y./Mamaroneck)
took first place in the 800-meter run with a time 1:54.94 while
freshman Evan Larrick (Westerville, Ohio/Westerville
North) crossed three seconds behind with a time of 1:59.95 to place
fifth. Vandenberg and Larrick later teamed with
junior Marc-Daniel Julien (Skokie, Ill./Niles West) and
sophomore Owen Norley(Chagrin Falls, Ohio/Kenston) to place
third in the 4x400-meter relay with a time of 3:26.28.
Senior George Degen (Madison, Wis./West) led the Tartans
with a first-place finish in the 3000-meter run with a time of
8:51.67. Finishing just behind him in third and fourth were
sophomore Ryan Archer (Pittsburgh, Pa./Vincentian
Academy) and senior Joe Pane (Pittsburgh, Pa./North
Allegheny). The two crossed with times of 8:59.11 and
9:02.55, respectively.
Degan also placed second in the mile run, as the senior finished
with a personal-best time of 4:20.50. Julien also competed in
the mile run and crossed with a time of 4:27.69 to place
fifth. To closeout the running events, the distant medley
relay team of seniors Eamon Cullinane (Hampton,
N.H./Winnacunnet) and Elliot Watson (Lebanon, Ohio/Miami
Valley School) along with juniors Curtis Watro (Audubon,
Pa./Methacton) and Thomas Mayo-Smith (Rye, N.Y.) finished
fourth with a time of 11:04.83.