Bryant returns to action in St. Thomas Aquinas Spartan Invite

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University track & field team returns to action on Friday as the team heads to New York City for the St. Thomas Aquinas Spartan Invite at the Ocean Breeze Athletic Complex. Events will begin at noon.

"This weekend will be a great chance to see where the team is at coming off of winter break," Bryant head track & field coach Mitchell Switzer said. "They'll get the opportunity to compete against a large variety of schools across divisions which will give us great competition from top to bottom.  Ocean Breeze is the same track we will be running on for NEC's in a few weeks so it will also allow the athletes the opportunity to get used to the venue before we return in February."

A total of 36 events will be run on Friday, with Bulldogs competing in 26. Sophomore Brian Murray (Westford, Mass.), who set the Bryant program record in the 300 meter at the Alden Invitational, will be competing in the 200 meter, as well as the 4x200 and the 4x400 meter relays.

Junior Evan Smith (Chester, Conn.), who had the second-best time (6.10 seconds) in the 60 meter at the Alden Invitational, will be running in the same event, as well as the 200 meter, and the 4x200 meter relay with Murray, Alec Binette (Glastonbury, Conn.), and Adam Winiarz (Norton, Mass.).

Sophomore Emily Cluck (Johnson City, N.Y.) had success in the 60 meter during her last time out and will be running in the same event on Friday. She will also be participating in the distance medley, teaming up with senior Melissa Lodge (Hopkinton, Mass.), and sophomores Olivia Weiss (Newton, N.J.) and Jacklyn Sullivan (Plymouth, Mass.).

Freshman Jacob Borgia (Westborough, Mass.) and junior Alexandra Watts (Clinton, Conn.) will each be competing in the pole vault on Friday, as well.

Other schools participating in the Spartan Invite include Northeast Conference rivals Fairleigh Dickinson, Wagner, and St. Francis Brooklyn.

The meet will be live-streamed on the St. Thomas Aquinas website and live results will be updated on the Ocean Breeze website.

For up to date news on the Bryant track & field program, follow the team on Twitter and Instagram at BryantXCTF.