KEENE, N.H.  3/27/10 –  A split-squad Keene State College outdoor track team turned in impressive performances at the Raleigh Relays in North Carolina and at the second annual Jerry Gravel Classic track and field meet at Westfield State on Saturday,.

Two Keene State athletes posted NCAA Division III Championship qualifying marks in their first meet of the season at the Raleigh Relays at North Carolina State.    Junior Bryan Kolacz (Brentwood, N.H.), the reigning national champion in the hammer event, will get a chance to defend his title after placing sixth in the hammer with a national automatic mark of 187'09”.  Junior Allison Chamberlain (Scarborough, Maine) also earned an NCAA berth with her fourth in the 1,500-meter race with a time of 4:29.55.  Chamberlain raced to All-America honors with her second place finish in the 800 at the indoor national championships. 

Returning to the team for his final season of competition this spring, senior Peter Najem (Derry, N.H.) recorded an NCAA provisional qualifying and school record time of 1:51.72 with his fourth place performance in the men's 800-meter race.

“We brought them to the venue and they delivered,” said a pleased Keene State Coach Peter Thomas.

At Westfield State, freshman Maggie Fitter (Branford, Conn.) won the 800 (2:20.76) and placed third in the 1,500 (4:53.62).  Junior Amy Knoblock (Plymouth, Mass.) was fourth in the 1,500 with a time of 4:53.93. 

The Owl women finished 11th in team scoring with 29 points.  Springfield College captured the championship with 137 points.

Sophomore Kevin Hoyt (Newtown, Conn.) won the 5,000 with a time of 15:35.27.  Junior Dan Theleen (Southbury, Conn.)  was fourth (15:55.69) in the race.

In field events, freshman Glenn Guilmette (Brentwood, N.H.) placed fourth in the javelin with a throw of 182'-03”.

Keene State competes at the Fitchburg Invitational next Saturday.