Teams: Women's Track & Field: Press Releases

Date: Monday, February 19, 2001

PATTERSON, CROFTON WIN NEW ENGLAND DIV. 3 5,000 METERS TITLES

MEDFORD – Tufts University seniors David Patterson (Shutesbury, MA) and Leslie Crofton (Somerset, MA) both won the 5,000 Meter Run in convincing fashion at their respective New England Division III Indoor Track & Field Championships over the weekend.

Patterson, running on his home track at the Gantcher Center, posted a 14:55.64 time to finish four seconds ahead of second-place finisher Daniel Smith of Salem State College (14:59.63). Patterson was also second in the 1,500 Meter Run with a 3:55.04 time. The 18 points he scored were half of the Tufts team total of 36 that placed the Jumbos fifth out of 27 teams at the event.

Other leading scorer for head coach Connie Putnam's team were sophomore Bryan Pitko (Arlington, MA) with a fourth place in the 55 Meter High Hurdles (7.74 seconds), and junior Aristides Cruz (Centereach, NY) with a fourth in the 5,000 Meters (15:02.32).

Crofton cruised to victory with a 17:45.8 time in the 5,000 at the women's championships at Brandeis University. She crossed the finish line nearly 20 seconds ahead of second-place finisher Abby Anthony of Bates College (18:04.05). The 10 points for her win helped Tufts place third out of 25 teams at the meet. Senior Sarah Deeb (West St. Paul, MN) was the top scorer for the Jumbos with second place finishes in the 200 Meters (25.94 seconds) and the 400 Meters (57.27 seconds).

Both teams compete at the All-New England Indoor Championships this coming weekend (Feb. 23-24). The women host their meet at the Gantcher Center, and the men are at Boston University.

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