Medfield, MA -- The WPI men's track and field team turned in a strong opening day performance at the Tufts Spring Stampede on Friday, highlighted by a victory from senior Gavin Fleck (Bend, OR) in the pole vault and multiple top-10 efforts.
 
Fleck led the Engineers with a winning performance in the pole vault, clearing a season-best 5.00 meters (16-4.75), a mark that ranks among the top performances in Division III this season.
 
On the track, the distance group delivered several standout results. Freshman Matthew Meerdink (Ballston Spa, NY) placed third in the 3000-meter steeplechase with a time of 9:34.80, the fifth-fastest mark in program history. Senior Brinson Wyche (Corvallis, MT) followed in sixth (9:43.81), while sophomore Colin Britner (Hampton, CT) finished eighth (9:50.63).
 
In the 5000 meters, sophomore Drew O'Reilly (Syracuse, NY) recorded a personal-best time of 15:07.27 to place ninth overall. Senior Zachary Shord (Laurel, MD) represented WPI in the 10,000 meters, finishing third in 36:50.62.
 
The throws group was led by junior Matt Richards (Peabody, MA), who placed third in the javelin with a mark of 53.50 meters (175-6). Freshman Joshua Thomas (Marlboro, MA) posted a personal-best effort of 48.40 meters (158-9) to finish 11th.
 
Junior Ethan Anderson (North Haven, CT) recorded a seventh-place finish in the hammer throw with a mark of 48.00 meters (157-5).
 
In the jumps, freshman Brian Stampoulos (Hillsboro, NJ) placed third in the triple jump with a mark of 13.85 meters (45-5.25), while senior Brett Gerlach (Lock Haven, PA) added a seventh-place finish (13.08m).
 
Day two of the Tufts Spring Stampede is set to begin Saturday at 11:00am in Medford.

Results