Fresh off their success in the America East Championships two weeks ago, the Binghamton University men’s track team rolled in their latest event thanks to the brilliant effort from sophomore Cazal Arnett, who highlighted the team’s performances.
The IC4A Championships is a two-day event that was held at Boston University over the weekend. Arnett earned the fastest preliminary time in the 400-meter dash with 47.36. That means he, as well as the other top nine finishers, would advance to the finals of the event.
Arnett shined once again as he won the 400 with a time of 46.34, easily defeating second place finisher Leslie Murray of Delaware State, who had a time of 47.09. Arnett’s mark not only surpassed his previous school record of 46.96, set two weeks ago, but it also qualified him for this weekend’s NCAA Indoor Championships. Arnett also became just the second BU track and field athlete to win an individual event at the IC4A Championships.
Binghamton head coach Mike Thompson was thrilled with the way Arnett competed.
“He easily won the 400 and beat the school record,” Thompson said. “He placed at the top and I’m very happy with how he performed.”
Additionally, Arnett participated in the 4×400 relay where he, along with senior Jimmy Massar and sophomores Christian Smith and Andy Haupt, tallied a respectable fifth place finish with a time of 3:13.41.
Other notables include freshman Michael Schieck, who placed sixth in the 1,000-meter run finals with a time of 2.27.20, and freshman Robb Quiller, who achieved 16-00.75 in the pole vault and a seventh place finish.
Thompson was extremely proud of his squad, which achieved 14th place overall, their best finish ever at the IC4A Championships.
“It was a great meet,” he said. “They performed very well. [Massar] and [Smith] ran well and they both got school records. Quiller performed well, too.”
Next up for the Bearcats is the NCAA Championships hosted by Texas A&M, scheduled for this Friday and Saturday at 10 a.m.