Outdoor College Track and Field
Rider at NCAA East Championships
JACKSONVILLE, Fla.--The Rider University men's outdoor track and field season came to an end on Saturday evening in Jacksonville, Florida at the NCAA East championship meet.
In the quarterfinals of the 400 meter hurdles, Bronc junior James Burroughs (West Orange) ran 52.78, finishing 22nd.
"James ran very well," said head coach Bob Hamer. "He took advantage of advancing to the quarterfinals and put forth his best effort. This level is so tough but he was aggressive and ran hard. I'm hopeful he will take lessons from what he learned and continue to build on his career as a senior."
Burroughs ran 52.97 in the preliminary round Thursday to advance to tonight's heat.
Also for Rider, in his final collegiate competition, graduate student Michael Soroko (Kinnelon) ran 9:14.87 in the 3,000 meter steeplechase, placing 38th.
"Michael ran ok through three laps and then wheels kind of came off," Hamer said. "He has battled through so many injuries and I think that kind of caught up with him."
Last season as a sophomore, Burroughs ran 53.45 at the NCAA East meet, finishing 38th.
Last season as a senior, Soroko was 33rd in the steeplechase at the NCAA East meet, running 9:08.55.
Burroughs qualified in the 400 meter hurdles with a career-best time of 52.39, tying the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Championship record while winning MAAC gold at the beginning of May.
Soroko qualified for the steeplechase with a time of 8:58.12, earning All-East honors at the IC4A championships in mid May.
"Michael had a tremendous career," Hamer added. "He helped raise the bar of the program by being a three-time All-East and two-time NCAA East performer. He was also an IC4A champion. He gave us strong contributions and I'm proud of his career. The impact on the program and being a great leader; Michael established the way you go about things to be successful and his legacy will continue to inspire others."
The top 12 in each event in the NCAA East and NCAA West championship meet (Austin, Texas) advance to the 2012 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships that will be held in Des Moines, Iowa, June 6-9.
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