Multiple track and field alumni have success this spring
STEPHEN ROBERTSON (center) stands on the podium after becoming the Big East champion in the 10K.
Published in the May 25, 2017 edition.
WAKEFIELD — It’s been a roller coaster ride of a college career for Providence College track athlete and Wakefield High alumni. However on Friday night at the Big East Championship at Villanova University it ended on a high note as Stephen Robertson completed his collegiate athletics career by winning the 10K to be named Big East Champion in the distance event with a time of 30:08.
It was only the second time he ran the event on the track and it was his best time. He is the first Providence College man to win a Big East title since 2013 and the first men’s 10K winner since 1999.
Robertson had a successful cross country season in the fall when he helped the Friars place second at the Big East Championships with his All Conference performance as well as helping the team qualify for the NCAA Championship with his NCAA All Northeast Regional performance. The Friars finished 24th in the nation.
In the winter he ran an impressive personal best 5K time of 14:19 and has won a few 5K races on the track this season before moving up to the 10K at the Penn Relays where he placed ninth in 30:17 a few weeks ago.
Robertson will be joining a New Balance sponsored team based out of Rhode Island to continue competing as a post collegiate runner.
University of Vermont junior captain Aaron Lucci had one of his best seasons when he dropped down in distance to the 1500 meters. At the American East Championship he ran a personal best of 3:56.87 to make the finals. Lucci also ran a fast 3000 meters in 8:30 this year.
UMass Lowell sophomore Jackson Gallagher had a strong indoor and outdoor season for the River Hawks. Gallagher ran a time of 1:53.75 to make the finals and place eighth at the American East Conference Championship last weekend and this weekend at the IC4A Championships he ran a personal best of 1:53.24.
At the American East Indoor Championship this winter Gallagher medaled in the 800 with a time of 1:54 and was a member of the winning 4×800 meter relay team.
Boston College sophomore Ian Ritchie has had a great second year as he has become one of the top middle distance runners for the Eagles. He ran a time of 3:55 in the 1500 meters this weekend. Ritchie earned Most Improved Performer for the Eagles this season and had run personal bests of 3:52.88.
Over the winter Ritchie had an outstanding day at the ACC Indoor Championships with personal bests of 4:10.47 in the mile and 1:53.51 in the 800 over a two hour span.
Worcester State University junior Patrick Scheeler recently broke two minutes for the 800 as he ran a personal best time of 1:58 as he helped the Lancers win the MASCAC title.
Worcester State University freshman Richie Custodio made his 3000 meter steeplechase debut this season and ran a time of 11:01.
Hamilton freshman Chris Skeldon qualified for the NESCAC Championship in the 10K this season where he ran a time of 34:49.
Roger Williams sophomore Ben Joly placed second in the shot put at the Commonwealth Coast Conference Invitational with a distance of 13.05 meters.
Merrimack freshman Kevin Russo placed seven th at the NE-10 Conference Championship. Russo broke the Merrimack College record earlier in the season with a distance of 193 feet.
Providence College sophomore Joe Hurton ran in the 400 meter hurdle finals at the Big East Championship with a time of 1:00. Hurton was also a member of the 4×400 meter relay team that ran 3:25.
Merrimack junior Kelly Ledoux-Walsh qualified for the NE-10 Conference Championship for 1500 meters and finished the season with a time of 5:05.
Wheaton College sophomore Emily Hammond placed 13th in the 800 meters at the NEWMAC Championship with a time of 2:30.11.
