BOSTON – Suffolk men's indoor track & field competed for the first time in nearly two years when it began its 2021-22 calendar at Boston University's Sharon Colyear-Danville Season Opener.
The event, one of BU's premiere meets, featured competition from all NCAA divisions, which put the Rams to the test from the get-go.
Senior Michael Balestra had the standout showing for Suffolk with a top-10 finish in the weight throw. The captain logged a 14.44-meter toss to be the highest NCAA Division III competitor in the 17-participant field, which featured freshman Matthew Smith (11.38) and Michael Power (9.34) as well. Smith finished 15th in his collegiate debut, while Power took 17th.
Power also competed in the shot put alongside Rams' rookie Eddie McCarthy. McCarthy registered a 11.58 throw, good for 14th and Power's 9.77-meter throw secured 17th for the senior.
The trio of sophomore Carter Nevulis, freshman Boston Baxter and senior Robert Solari rounded out the Rams in the field events. Nevulis turned in a 6.31-meter jump to take 12th in the field of 30. Baxter and Solari placed 27th and 28th, respectively, behind leaps of 5.51 meters and 5.31 meters.
Running wise, the Rams raced in nine different events.
Suffolk's largest contingent ran the mile with six of the 51 runners wearing blue-and-gold. Senior Nic Malm paced the pack, finishing 25th with a time of 4:40.48. Luke Sikora was eight spots behind him, crossing the line in 4:50.03. Conor Garrity (4:55.90) placed inside the top 40 as well, with Hunter Toyoda (4:58.39), Jacob Dubin (5:02.38) and Jadan Wenceslao (5:03.18) running the heat as well.
Freshman Thomas Novy represented the Rams in the 5000 and took 118th of the 130 with a time of 16:14.35.
A threesome ran the 1000 in Selvin Backert (2:38.35), Justin Turner (2:43.10) and Kely Maloney (2:43.85).
Suffolk's sprinters featured a standout showing from Nevulis in the 60m hurdles. The freshman's time of 8.91 was good for 14th in the field of 30.
A handful of Rams ran the 60 without hurdles. Turner Mitchell (7.56), Jason Motta (7.75) Eduardo Silva (7.77), Boston Baxter (7.77) and Jack Cattie (8.25) all made their collegiate debut in the event.
Solari, Mitchell and Motta all ran half a lap around the track. Solari secured 17th with a time of 23.71 with Mitchell clocking a 24.41 and Motta turning in a 25.95.
Cole Bolduc ran a full lap in 52.64 to finish in the 23-runner pack in 12th.
The junior also participated in the 300 alongside Josh Smith (38.41), John Avakian (40.37) and Hans Deguzman(40.77).
One of the best performances from the afternoon was Suffolk's 4x400 relay team made up of Joshua Smith, Maloney, Solari and Cole Bolduc. The foursome combined for a 3:40.76 time to take 11th.
Suffolk completes first semester action this Saturday, Dec. 11 at Northeastern's Joe Donahue Games at Reggie Lewis Center.