Freshman Bryce Wilk Wins Steeplechase
RICHMOND, VA - Two-time defending CAA Champion William and Mary men's track and field opened its outdoor season Friday at the Virginia Commonwealth Ram Invitational. The meet featured CAA rivals James Madison and VCU as well as state foes VMI and Richmond among over a dozen teams.Freshman Bryce Wilk (Millbrook, NY), who owned the third-fastest time nationally in the 3,000m steeplechase in his senior season of high school, opened his outdoor season with a three-second victory in the event, clocking a winning time of 9:25.83, over a tenth better than his prep personal best. Wilk led four Tribe finishers in the top five as sophomore Anthony Arena (Manassas, VA) claimed third in a sharp 9:29.31, a personal best by some three seconds. Freshman Rob Dennis (Little Silver, NJ) clocked a 9:33.51 in fourth and redshirt freshman Jonna Reinhardt (Williamsburg, VA) ran a 9:35.91 for fifth, a personal record. W&M also had a strong showing in the 1,500m as sophomore Matt Warco (McMurray, PA) clocked a 3:55.86 for runner-up honors, a career-fast pace by some eight seconds. Junior Sean Anastasia-Murphy (Gloucester, MA) claimed fourth in the event with a 3:57.00 while freshman Dave Mock (Johnstown, PA), fresh off wining the NACAC Junior Cross Country Championship, came home in sixth with his time of 3:57.52. In the pole vault, junior Nathan Chubb (Doylestown, PA) claimed sixth by clearing 13'7.25".
The VCU Ram Invitational concludes on Saturday. On Sunday, Tribe freshman All-American Christo Landry (Falls Church, VA) competes at the World Cross Country Championships in Saint Galmier, France.