NORTHAMPTON, Mass.--Ben Keach placed in the top two in all four throwing events as members of the Keene State College track and field team took part in the Smith Invitational on Saturday.
Keach won the shotput, javelin, and discus, and was second in the hammer. Already qualified for the New England Division III Championships in the first three, Keach also will compete in the hammer, after throwing 44.64 meters.
He also improved upon his season best throw in the discus at 43.25 meters, and did the same in the shot put, throwing 14.98 meters, and the javelin, throwing 54.97 meters. The javelin throw also qualified him for the ECAC Championships in that event. Keach's javelin throw currently ranks 30th nationally.
On the women's side, Ashley Rozzi placed second in the javelin, improving on her season best throw at 35.93 meters.
The Keene State running, sprinting, and jumping contingent traveled to Providence, R.I., for the Brown Invitational, where Keene State had four more postseason qualifiers.
James Stergis Cox qualified for the New England Division III Championships in the 400m dash in 50.99 seconds, the fastest Division III time in the race. Freshman Emmett Berry also qualified for the New England Division III Championships in the 110 meter hurdles, running a 16.42 in the preliminary of the event.
The Owl women also had a pair of qualifiers. Kait Wheeler, who had already qualified for the New England Division III and ECAC Championships in the 5,000 meters, will also be going to the Open New England Championships, after winning the event in 17:59.6 seconds.
She will be joined at the New England Division III and ECAC Championships by Lindsay Szuch, who was third in the 5,000 meters in 18:10.6.
Kaley Mientkiewicz won the steeplechase in 11:47.14. Katelyn Terry also qualified for the New England Division III Championships in the 800 meters, running in 2:20.57 to finish eighth overall and the fastest Division III competitor.
Keene State's outdoor season continues at the Springfield Invitational on April 18.
