ITHACA, N.Y. – Cortland recorded 13 ECAC-qualifying performances and freshman Connor Chrisotpherson (Morrisonville/Saranac) set a school record in the heptathlon at the Cornell University Upstate Challenge men's indoor track and field meet.

The Red Dragons were one of only two Div. III teams at the eight-school event. Cornell finished with 174.5 points, followed by the University at Buffalo (87), Syracuse (79), Binghamton (78.5), Albany (62), Cortland (15), Colgate (10) and Ithaca (2).

Christopherson finished seventh in the heptathlon with 4,288 points. The previous school record was 4,277 points by Jake Zanetti in 2006. His score will actually be converted to 4,312 points for NCAA qualifying purposes as his time in the 1,000 meters will be converted from his time on Cornell's flat track to a banked-track time since nationals this year will be held on a banked track. Christopherson currently ranks 13th nationally in the heptathlon.

While there is no specific ECAC standard for the heptathlon (the top 12 entered scores qualify), Christopherson did record an ECAC-qualifying distance in the long jump during the competition with a distance of 6.75 meters (22' 1.75"). He scored 755 points in that event, as well as 781 points in the 60-meter hurdles (8.84) and 762 points in the 60-meter dash (7.35).

Senior Melique Garcia (Watervliet) finished fifth out of 55 competitors in the 200-meter dash in 22.67 seconds and was seventh of 29 in the 60-meter dash in 6.99 seconds (6.95 in prelims). His 200-meter time currently ranks 16th nationally in Div. III when converted to 22.28 seconds for a banked track.

Sophomore Jerel Williams (East Islip) finished fourth in the 400-meter dash (50.56) and sophomore Keewan Rondinello (Liverpool) was sixth (51.54) in a field of 26 sprinters. In the 60-meter hurdles, junior Nick Avossa (Kingston) placed seventh of 23 in 8.44 seconds (8.39 in prelims).

Junior Connor Ten Eyck (Clifton Park/Shenendehowa) finished fourth of 23 in the pole vault with a height of 4.65 meters (15' 3"). He presently ranks ninth nationally in Div. III.  Senior Tyler Prendergast (Waterford/Shenendehowa) was fifth of 26 in the weight throw with a distance of 15.69 meters (51' 5.75"). Junior Andre Green (Watertown/Indian River) finished eighth of 27 in the long jump at 6.79 meters (22' 3.5").

Cortland also had two ECAC qualifiers in both the 3,000-meter and mile runs. In the 3,000 meters, senior Tom Hopkins (Syracuse/West Genesee) finished seventh (8:41.97) and junior Steven Pungello (Washingtonville) was 10th (8:50.11) in a field of 31 runners. In the mile, freshman Chris Landi (Merrick/Calhoun) placed 13th of 31 (4:23.37) and junior Jarred Iacovelli (Manahawkin, NJ/Southern Regional) finished 15th (4:24.79).

Cortland will return to Cornell to compete at the Kane Invitational on Saturday, Feb. 1.

Complete Results (PDF) (other than heptathlon)

Heptathlon Results (PDF)