Field events prove solid for M. Track

At his first collegiate meet, Penn freshman Adam Chubb did something it usually takes four years to achieve. He set a school record. On Friday at the Raleigh Relays, Chubb -- also a forward on Penn's basketball team -- tied a 21-year-old high jump record, clearing a height of 7'1/4". He finished third in a field that featured some of the top jumpers on the East Coast. "I had seen some of these guys back in high school at Penn Relays," Chubb said. "I just tried not to let the pressure get to me, and I jumped well. "I was really excited that I got the record. I really hope to keep working hard and doing well." The rest of the Quakers followed the freshman's bright start, and many had good finishes at last weekend's meet. "I was really encouraged with our performances, especially in only our second meet of the season," Penn head coach Charlie Powell said. Returning from a hamstring injury, Penn junior Tuan Wreh had a promising meet, finishing fourth with a leap of 49'9". He also fouled on two jumps that were well over 50 feet. "I feel that I'm at 100 percent now," Wreh said. "I look forward to facing some of these guys again and beating them." In other field events, Penn seniors Charlie O'Connell and Seth Beaver finished sixth and seventh in the javelin with throws of 204'2" and 202'7", respectively. Sophomore Justin King's 150'7" discus throw was good for 13th. "The field event results have been really encouraging," Powell said. "Everyone's just been getting out there and performing well." Penn's 4x200-meter relay team finished sixth in 1:26.28, consisting of junior Steve Faulk, senior Laethe Coleman, freshman Chris Edmonds and sophomore Brian Abram. Abram followed that up with a 21st-place finish in the 400 in a personal record time of 48.40. Rounding out the impressive Penn performances was junior Tony Ragucci, who finished ninth in the 3,000-meter steeplechase with a time of 9:17.33. The Quakers narrowly missed other strong finishes due to unforeseen circumstances. The 4x100-meter relay team passed out of the zone and was disqualified, while Penn's heat of the 4x400-meter relay was run in a downpour. "It was the worst rain I've seen in 15 years," Powell said. "For about 20 minutes, the sky just opened and everyone was almost instantly soaked." Powell was very excited about the performances of Chubb and Wreh. "Tuan just needs to get back into it mentally and not worry about the injury," Powell said. "We're thinking he can get out and soar on some jumps." For the Quakers, who will compete next at the Penn Invitational at Franklin Field this Saturday, the trip was a chance to improve team unity. "We have a wonderful team this year," Powell said. "I'm really enjoying working with them."

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