Manhattan Does It

The Manhattan men and St. Peter's women's captured team titles at the 2013 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Championships at the New Balance Armory Track & Field Center in New York City on Friday.

The Jaspers won the men's crown, scoring 159 points, far ahead of Rider (112) and St. Peter's (104). Manhattan's Tom Bechert was chosen as the Most Outstanding Performer for Field Events. Bechert came in second in the pole vault (15-9), and also scored points for his team in the shot put (46-11 3/4), long jump (22-2 1/2), and high jump (6-4 1/4).

Matt Gillespie from Iona College was voted the Most Outstanding Performer for Track Events. Gillespie won the 800m (1:52.33) and one mile runs (4:05.21) and anchored the final leg of the distance medley team that set a MAAC Championship record. Along with teammates Jake Byrne, Darian Edwards and Chris Stogsdill, the Gaels finished with a time of 9:58.32.

Championship records were also set in the 60-meter hurdles and pole vault. James Burroughs from Rider University completed the hurdles in 7.96 seconds, and Manhattan's Brian McGovern eclipsed the old MAAC record by successfully clearing 16-8 3/4.

The Peacocks won the meet with a team score of 185 1/2 followed by Rider (164 1/2) and Manhattan (122 1/2).

Jamela Johnson from Saint Peter's was voted Most Outstanding Performer in Field Events after placing first in the long jump (19-0 3/4) and triple jump (37-6 1/2).

Manhattan College's Ashley Bowman tied for Most Outstanding Performer in Track Events by setting MAAC Championship records in two events, finishing the 60m dash in 7.64 and the 200m dash in 24.45. Marion Joly-Testault from Iona College was the other co-Most Outstanding Performer in Track Events, placing first in the 3,000m (10:12.68) and 5,000m (17:10.08).