FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEN’S OUTDOOR TRACK AND FIELD
May 5, 2008
Little East Conference Report #7

Track Athlete of the Week

Curtis Wheeler (Derby, Vt.), Senior, University of Southern Maine

Curtis Wheeler won the 5,000-meter run with a school record and NCAA provisional qualifying time of 14 minutes, 39.22 seconds to lead the University of Southern Maine to its best-ever finish at the New England Division III Championships, ranking eight in the 26-scoring team field. The Derby, Vt. product surpassed the NCAA provisional qualifying time of 14:48.00, broke his previous school record of 14:54.65 set two years ago at the Maine State Championships.

Co-Field Athlete of the Week

Adam Haggerty (Hermon, Maine), Senior, University of Southern Maine

Haggerty placed fourth in the pole vault to earn Division III All-New England honors for the second consecutive season, clearing 4.50 meters.

Dante Lopardo (Johnson, R.I.), Junior, Rhode Island College

Lopardo cleared 1.90 meters in the high jump to earn Division III All-New England honors this past weekend. The Johnson, R.I. product also placed 15th in the long jump.

Rookie Athlete of the Week

Mason Shepard (Portland, Maine), Freshman, University of Southern Maine

Shepard earned Division III All-New England accolades this past weekend, placing fifth in the 400-meter hurdles. The freshman from Portland, Maine crossed the finish line in a time of 56.08.

Rookie Field Athlete of the Week

Bryan Kolacz (Brentwood, N.H.), Freshman, Keene State College

Kolacz earned a pair of Division III All-New England honors this past weekend, medaling in the discus and hammer throws, respectively. The native of Brentwood, N.H. improved his NCAA provisional qualifying mark in the discus with a second-place toss of 145’-08. Kolacz also tossed the hammer 173’-04 to earn fourth place.