Hayes shatters school record as Bulldogs finish tune-up for NECs

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Junior Kristen Hayes (Menands, N.Y.) broke her second school record of the season to highlight another strong performance for the Bryant University track and field team at the David Hemery Valentine Invitational on Friday and Saturday in Boston, Mass.

The meet is the Bulldogs' final tune-up prior to the Northeast Conference Championships this weekend in Landover, Md.

After breaking the school record in the 300m in the opening meet of the season, Hayes demolished the 400m record on Saturday. She posted a time of 56.46, surpassing the previous school mark by two seconds. The record had stood since 2008. Hayes' time also qualified her for entry into the ECAC Championships at the end of the season.

Top Performers

MiaLynne Park (Jewett City, Conn.) posted the second-best time in the 200m in program history. She ran the 200 in 25.78 seconds.

Seniors Kara Walsh (Waltham, Mass.) and Brooke Tomasetti (Waterford, Conn.) continued to etch their names into the top 10 list for the 800m. Walsh posted a time of 2:21.66 and Tomasetti finished with a time of 2:22.43. The two now hold four of the top six times in program history.

Nicholas Douglas (Shelton, Conn.) moved into the top 10 in the 200m and 400m. He posted times of 22.53 and 50.19, respectively.

Justin Patterson (Marshfield, Mass.) and Deion Raper (Brockton, Mass.) joined Douglas in the 400m, earning top 10 times with finishes of 50.67 and 50.87.

Milan Duka (Belgrade, Serbia) and Richard Landry (Holyoke, Mass.) both entered the all-time top 10 in the mile. Duka finished with a time of 4:20.21 and Landry posted a time of 4:20.85.

Despite falling in the second lap, Russell Stevens (Colchester, Conn.) recovered to post a top 10 time and set a personal best in the 3000 with a time of 8:55.98.

Mike Cooke (Wrentham, Mass.) joined the top 10 in the shot put with a throw of 13.61m.

Kehma Johnson (Milford, Mass.) registered a long jump of 6.43m to enter the top 10.

Hayes Watson (Glastonbury, Conn.) tied his own program record in pole vault with a height of 4.55m.