Monmouth's throwers lead Hawks to UVA win

Monmouth University has assembled a powerful throwing lineup that has put the field back in track and field.

Thanks to their depth in the throwing events, the Hawks won the Lou Onesta/Milton Abramson Invitational held at the University of Virginia last weekend. Monmouth's men piled up 123 points to out-score Rhode Island (110) and host Virginia (82).

The Hawks had multiple scorers in every throwing event, including placing five of the top seven in the javelin on their way to the first win at the invitational.

"We are very pleased to come out on top at this meet after being close the last few years," said head coach Joe Compagni.

In the javelin, Marion Easley (Somerville) led the Hawks with a second place (191-10). Tim Raymond (Hamilton North) was a close third (191-0) and Bryan Fill (Hasbrouk Heights), fourth (182-3). Nick Williams (Adamstown, Md.) was fifth (174-3) and Matt Mizerek (Parsippany Hills), seventh (171-4).

Williams won the discus with a throw of 165-0, with teammate Christian Keller, fifth (148-4). Larry Lundy (Montrose, Pa.) was sixth (148-3) and Ed Skowronski (Raritan), eighth (141-1) as the Hawks had four scorers here.

Williams led a two-four-five finish in the shot put, taking second with a throw of 52-6 3/4. Kyle Hirschklau (Morristown) was fourth (49-9 1/4) and Christian Keller (Matawan), fifth (49-9 1/4).

Lundy won the hammer (184-10) just ahead of Skowronski (184-7). Ryan Connell (St. Peter's Prep) was fourth (176-10), and Keller, sixth (171-1). Lundy became the third Hawk to qualify for the regionals in the hammer, marking the first time that they have had three athletes qualify for the same event.

On the track, Colts Neck grad David Gaines provided the highlight for the Hawks. He ran the 800 meters in 1:51.76 while finishing second and attained an IC4A Championship qualifying time.

Gaines was also a member of the Hawks' 4x400 relay team that was fourth in 3:23.11. Darrin Chandler (Paramus Catholic), Joe Quintano (Manalapan) and Derrik Keich (Tamaqua, Pa.) were the other members of the team.

The Hawks' 4x100 team was third in 43.35. Jerome St. Bernard (Markham, Ontario), Dave Martell (Eastern Regional), Alex Bowers (Central Regional) and Fabrice St. Elme (Rahway) made up the quartet.

St. Elme was eighth in the 100-meter dash (11.14). Chandler was eighth in the 400 dash (50.14), and Quintano was eighth in the 400 intermediate hurdles (58.05).

St. Elme completed a busy meet with a fifth place in the high jump (6-2 3/4).

The Hawk women were fourth in Charlottesville (58). Host Virginia ran away with the team title with 247 points.

Taylor (Woodbury) had the top performance for Monmouth, winning the long jump at 19-5 1/4. Latasha Dickson (Matawan) was third in the 400 dash (56.93).

Monmouth's 4x100 team of Deanna Paulson (Washington Township), Michelle Losey (Piscataway). Illiana Blackshear (West Orange) and Taylor was third (48.48), and the 4x400 team of Dickson, Crystal Stein (Susquehannak, Pa.), Blackshear and Losey also place third.

This weekend, the Hawks will be at Princeton University for the Larry Ellis Invitational. That will be followed by the Penn Relays April 25-28.

- Tim Morris