The Good 5 Cent Cigar

Issue date: 1/28/09 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Keri Castro

01/28/09 - The University of Rhode Island men's track and field had a promising start with five first place victories during the Rhody Quad '09 last Saturday. But by the end of the day those wins resulted in a bitter second place finish for the team.

Coach John A. Copeland found the loss "inexcusable" and thought the team was "lazy" and "not focused."

URI hosted the University of New Hampshire, Central Connecticut State University and Holy Cross.

The Rams finished in second place with 70 points. UNH won the meet with 78 points and six first place finishes.

"As a coaching standpoint we were prepared for the race, but from a runners standpoint, we weren't," said Copeland after the loss. "They thought it would just come to them."

Co-Captain John Carstensen, and teammates Matt Cunningham, Ryan Karwiel, Jeffry Martins, Alex Reid and Kimly May were all celebrated as Rams seniors at the meet.

URI started successfully in the first two events with a win in the 55-meter dash and 55-meter hurdles. Freshman Nicholas Guscott gave Rhody a 55-meter dash time of 6.61 seconds, and Alex Reid completed the hurdles in 7.87 seconds.

Rhode Island also had a first place finish in the 400-meter dash. Senior David Kennedy had a time of 49.54.

The Rams had two more first place finishes, the long jump and the pole vault. Freshman Greg Dean and Carstensen earned victories for the Rams. With a good start winning seemed within reach, but as the day wore on the finish line seemed further and further away.

The Rams' next meet will be on Jan. 30 at 5 p.m. at the Mackal Indoor Track.

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