The track team started off its spring season with a boom this past weekend, competing at the Dick Shea Open hosted by Army.

Rory Quiller continued his senior year success by taking first place with a jump of 16-7 3/4. Not only was the jump good enough to win the meet, but it also qualifies him for the NCAA Regional meet.

As Quiller displayed the finesse of the team, stout sophomore Justin Halleck displayed his strength. Halleck had a hammer throw of over 170 feet, good enough to qualify for the IC4A championship meet. This past season, Halleck helped the Bearcats to points at the America East championship meet with a second place finish in the weight throw.

The women’s side also started its season strongly. Kim Williams does not need any Forest Gump-like encouragement to keep running; the sophomore continued to impress with another first place finish. Although she was very strong in the 200-meter dash and the 55-meter dash during the indoor season, she took first place in the 100-meter dash this weekend.

Williams was also part of the 4×100-meter relay team. It was the same team that ran the 4×400 in the indoor season: Williams, freshman Hana Wright, junior Keisha Short and freshman Deahna Vinson. They continued their success, winning their race with a time of 49.48 seconds.

Just as there is strength and finesse on the men’s side, there is speed and endurance on the women’s. Katie Radzik continued her long distance crusade as she won the 5,000-meter run with a time of 17:43.

Quiller’s pole vaulting counterpart on the women’s side, sophomore Carly Gross, matched Quiller’s success with a first place finish of her own. She cleared her jump of 10-4.

The Bearcats’ next meet is the Florida Relays, which takes place April 6 through 7.