The Justice

SPEED DEMON: Right, Joel Sunshine '07 accelerates past a Washington University in St.?Louis runner at the University Athletic Association championships this weekend. Despite running at home, the men's team finished in last place out of seven squads. Photo by Sara Brandenburg/the Justice.

After finishing second place in the University Athletic Association cross-country championships last fall and third place at last year's UAA indoor track championships, men's runners were presented with a golden opportunity to continue their rise to national prominence as hosts of this weekend's UAA Indoor Track and Field Championships. But instead, the Judges finished the home meet last place out of seven teams.

"Any time you come in seventh place out of seven teams it's a disappointment, especially when you're at home," Dan Suher '08 said.

The women, who finished fourth of seven teams at the UAAs for the third straight year, were paced by Anat Benun '09, who won the triple jump at the UAAs for the second year in a row.

Washington University in St. Louis emerged victorious on the men's and women's sides.

The men were unable to overcome the loss of several top runners, including distance runner John Guilinger '08, who sat out due to a muscle injury, as well as David Weinstein '08, who is studying abroad.

Weinstein accumulated 18 points in last year's UAAs, including a first-place performance in the 200-meter dash.

Also, former captain Ryan Parker '06, who won the 800-meter run at the same competition last year, graduated last spring.

"There were some key losses from last year's team that prevented us from possibly being as strong as last year," Suher said.

In addition, an injury to Machel Charles '07, last year's 400-meter dash champion, prevented him from performing at his peak, as he was forced to compete wearing a knee brace.

"You could tell that [Charles] wasn't in the same form that he was last winter when he was able to win the conference championships," Suher said.

Still, the men posted three all-UAA performances. Ralph Chery '07 finished second in the 400-meter dash with a time of 50.90 seconds.

Continued...

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