Fact Sheet

GLASSBORO, NJ - The Rowan University men's outdoor track & field team looks to continue the success that the Profs had during the indoor campaign, where they finished third at the NCAA Division III Championships. Last year, Rowan was ranked first entering the outdoor national meet but took seventh place.

"Last year, we had a lot of bad luck going into nationals as far as some injuries and weather conditions," said fourth-year head coach Dustin Dimit. "This year, the key is the number of guys who have that national-level experience. Hopefully, a lot of those ninth places we had become points. We should be in the hunt for a trophy as a top-four team and maybe a national title."

The Profs will also seek their fourth consecutive New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Championship and claim the inaugural All-Atlantic Region Conference Championship. The team won both meets during the indoor season.

Shai Mumford (jr. West Deptford, NJ/West Deptford), Steven Jones (jr. Woolwich, NJ/Kingsway Reg.) and Julian Pratt (so. Camden, NJ/Camden) will lead Rowan in the 100 meters. In 2017, Mumford garnered NJAC All-Conference honorable mention in the 100 meters with a third place (10.97) at the conference championships. He was named to the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) All-Region Team.

Jones won the 100 meters with a career best time of 10.84 at the Oneonta Final Qualifier. Pratt finished second (10.91) at the NJAC Championships for All-Conference second team honors. He was named the NJAC Rookie of the Week one time. Indoors, Pratt came in second (7.05) in the 60 meters at the conference meet for All-Conference second team accolades.

"We are really excited about this group because all of them showed significant improvement last year," said Dimit. "It should lead to a really good 4x100 as well. We are expecting big things from them in the conference and hoping that they can get to nationals."

Francis Terry (so. Laurel Springs, NJ/Sterling), Justin Bishop (fr. Somers Point, NJ/Mainland Reg.), Jonathan Ramirez (sr. West New York, NJ/Memorial), Mumford and Jones comprise the group in the 200 meters. Terry won the 2017 Colonial States Athletic Conference title in the 200 meters while at Neumann University. Ramirez recorded a career best (22.21) at the Oneonta Final Qualifier. Mumford took first (21.42) at the 2017 NJAC Championships for All-Conference first team honors and was a member of the USTFCCCA All-Region Team. Indoors, he qualified for nationals in the event, won the All-Atlantic Region title and placed second at the conference meet. Jones finished second (21.65) at the conference championships for All-Conference second team honors and earned All-Region accolades.

" The 200 has a group with a lot of experience," said Dimit. "Shai is a returning national qualifier. We think Steven could get there as well. They should definitely be the top guys in the conference."

Jamil Jackson (sr. Blackwood, NJ/Highland Reg.), Hunter Barbieri (fr. Egg Harbor Twp., NJ/Egg Harbor Twp.), Vincent Delle (fr. Parlin, NJ/Old Bridge), Terry and Bishop will compete in the 400 meters. Jackson placed second (49.51) at the NJAC Championships for All-Conference second team honors. Terry garnered All-America honors with a fifth place (48.40) at indoor nationals. He won the 400 meters at the NJAC (47.99) and All-Atlantic Region (49.35) Championships.

"We have a really deep group there," continued Dimit. "I'm excited to see what Francis does outdoors. Jamil is getting his legs under him as one of our top returners. We have a great freshmen group led by Justin and Hunter. Vincent is back from injury and we are excited to see what he can do."

The 800 meters will be run by Nick Neville (jr. Dayton, NJ/South Brunswick), Martin Maldonado (sr. West Atlantic City, NJ/Egg Harbor Twp.), Nick Nocco (sr. Manahawkin, NJ/Southern Reg.), Liam Cunningham (fr. West Orange, NJ/West Orange) and Mitch Baron (fr. Hillsborough, NJ/Hillsborough). Neville earned All-Conference second team honors with a second place (1:53.91) at the NJAC Championships. He was also part of the All-Region Team. Neville came in second (1:52.63) at this year's NJAC Indoor Championships.

Maldonado recorded a season best (1:57.19) in the 800 meters at the Morgan State Legacy Meet. Nocco ran a career best 1:56.95 at the Oneonta Final Qualifier. Cunningham had a top time of 1:59.90 during the indoor season while Baron's season best was 2:02.16.

"We think Nick Neville can be a national qualifier," said Dimit. "Martin really had a breakthrough indoors. I think he is finally fulfilling the potential we saw in him. We expect the freshmen to make some nice strides there."

Kevin Veltre (sr. Brick, NJ/Brick Mem.), Daniel "Fitch" Henry (jr. Sewell, NJ/Clearview Reg.), Neville and Nocco could see action in the 1500 meters. Indoors, Veltre placed second (4:12.30) in the one mile at the NJAC Championships for All-Conference second team distinction.

"This group is interesting because we have a lot of people who could be really good at it but it won't be their primary event," said Dimit. "Kevin could be a national qualifier but it depends on what events we have him run."

Matt Russo (so. Westfield, NJ/Westfield), Jason Muermann (so. Pitman, NJ/Pitman), Alec Trapani (sr. South Brunswick, NJ/South Brunswick), Dylan Tyrrell (so. Ocean, NJ/St. Joseph (Metuchen)), Veltre and Henry are capable of running the 5000 meters. Last year, Russo posted a season best time of 15:40.11 at the Danny Curran Invitational. Indoors, he came in second (15:29.63) at the conference meet for All-Conference second team honors. Trapani came in eighth with a season best mark of 15:48.02 at the NJAC Championships. Tyrrell ran the 5000 meters in 16:54.23 at the Danny Curran Invitational. Henry finished first (15:26.25) at the 2017 NJAC Championships for All-Conference first team honors.

"All of those guys should be able to score in the conference," said Dimit. "Jason and Alec will probably focus more on the 10,000. Again for Kevin, it depends on how we want to manage him."

The 10,000 meters will be a mix of Ryan Federline (so. Cherry Hill, NJ/Cherry Hill E.), Muermann, Trapani, Russo and Tyrrell. Last season, Federline recorded a season best time (34:02.70) at the Danny Curran Invitational. Muermann also had a top time (33:21.30) at the Danny Curran Invitational.

"Jason or Matt will be the top guy there," continued Dimit. "We are still feeling things out. We will have to see how the first 5000 goes to see where we want to run Dylan."

Bobby Cooks (sr. Pembroke Pines, FL/McArthur) and Tyler Garland (so. Deptford, NJ/Deptford Twp.) lead the Profs in the 110 meter hurdles. Cooks was a two-time All-American at Aurora University. He placed second (8.04) in the 60 meter hurdles at the 2018 NCAA Indoor Championships. Cooks won the NJAC (8.04) and All-Atlantic Region (8.01) Championships. Garland finished sixth in the 110 meter hurdles at the 2017 NJCAA Outdoor Championships while at Rowan College at Gloucester County. He received All-Conference honorable mention with a third place (8.58) in the 60 meter hurdles at the NJAC Indoor Championships.

"Bobby should contend for the national title," said Dimit. "Tyler could be a national qualifier as well."

Rowan returns the 2017 national champion in the 400 meter hurdles in Anthony Salemo (sr. Ramsey, NJ/Ramsey). He ran a school record time of 51.06. Salemo also won the NJAC title (53.21) and was a member of the USTFCCCA All-Region Team. Chris Mesiano (jr. Pittsgrove, NJ/A.P. Schalick), John Owens (fr. Newnan, GA/West Windsor-Plainsboro N. (NJ)) and Barbieri will also run the event. Mesiano was a national qualifier a year ago and earned All-Region distinction. Owens was a sectional champion at West Windsor-Plainsboro High School North.

"This is one of our deepest running groups," continued Dimit. "Anthony is a returning national champion. Chris was a national qualifier. John was one of the fastest high school seniors in the state last year. That should be a really good group where we could get a bunch of guys to nationals."

Veltre and Nocco return in the 3000 meter steeplechase. Veltre finished ninth (9:16.36) at the 2017 NCAA Division III Championships. He won (9:41.24) the NJAC title and earned All-Conference first team honors. Nocco placed second (9:56.88) at the conference meet for All-Conference second team accolades.

"Kevin is a returning national qualifier while Nocco was All-Conference," said Dimit. "Behind them, it's a competition."

The 4x100 meter relay earned All-America honors at last year's national championships. Mumford and Ramirez return to the squad. Kyle Limbaga (fr. Audubon, NJ/Audubon), Pratt, Jones, Garland and Cooks are also in the mix.

"We have a really deep pool to choose from," said Dimit. "It's all about finding the four that work best and have the best chemistry with the handoffs."

The 4x400 meter relay advanced to the final at the 2017 NCAA Championships. Salemo and Jackson ran on last year's squad. Barbieri, Delle, Terry, Bishop and Mesiano could all be included in the relay.

"It should be a similar group to indoors with the depth that we have in the 400," continued Dimit. "At the national level, it depends on who qualifies individually so we can have the freshest guys run the relay."

Rowan is deep in the high jump with Harrison Escoffery (sr. Hackensack, NJ/Hackensack), Jeffrey Tucker (sr. Voorhees, NJ/Eastern Reg.), Jason Thobourne (fr. Paterson, NJ/Paterson Charter School for Science and Technology), David Alston (fr. Matawan, NJ/Matawan Reg.), Earnest Daniel (fr. Woolwich, NJ/Kingsway Reg.) and Matt Rizzi (fr. Watchung, NJ/Watchung Hills Reg.).

Escoffery and Tucker both competed at the NCAA Championships last season. Tucker won the event (6' 10.75", 2.10 m) and Escoffery was second (6' 10.75", 2.10 m) for All-Conference first team and second team honors respectively at the NJAC Championships. Tucker was named the NJAC Outstanding Field Athlete. They both qualified for the NCAA Indoor Championships this year, finishing second (6' 11.75", 2.13 m) and third (6' 10.75", 2.10 m) respectively. Indoors, Thobourne and Daniel received All-Conference honorable mention as they tied for third (6' 6", 1.98 m) at the conference meet.

"We are the only Division III school in the country and one of only three across all divisions who has two seven-footers (Escoffery and Tucker)," said Dimit. "Jeffrey is getting his stride back after being out with an injury. Earnest has made a big improvement already. Matt can definitely score at the conference meet. We have a really good group there where we could have five guys score at the conference meet and two to four make nationals."

Frankie Richard (fr. Allendale, NJ/Northern Highlands Reg.), Tucker, Thobourne, Alston and Owens are the Profs' long jumpers. Richard had a season best of 22' 6" (6.86 m) during the indoor season. Tucker was a national qualifier last year and earned All-Region honors. He posted a meet record 24' 6.5" (7.48 m) for first at the NJAC Championships. Thobourne had a top distance of 22' 8.75" (6.93 m) indoors.
Escoffery, Daniel and Richard lead the triple jumpers. Escoffery competed in the event at the 2017 NCAA Championships. He also qualified indoors this season. Daniel and Richard had indoor season bests of 45' 11" (14.00 m) and 43' 6" (13.26 m) respectively.

"Harrison should be an All-American," said Dimit. "He has been a multiple-time national qualifier now. We feel Earnest can do that as well. He is starting to put things together."

Jacorey Williams (sr. Clementon, NJ/Highland Reg.) is the top discus thrower. Last year, he came in second with a top distance of 151' 9" (46.25 m) at the Hopkins Invitational and earned All-Region honors.

"Jacorey will lead that group with a chance at making nationals," continued Dimit. "After that, it depends on how the freshmen do."

Will Cardona (sr. Livingston, NJ/Livingston) and Dijon Goodall (sr. Pine Hill, NJ/Sterling) are the top competitors in the hammer throw. Cardona achieved a school record and came in second (179' 7", 54.74 m) at the NJAC Championships for All-Conference second team distinction. He also was a member of the All-Region Team. Goodall posted a career best (113' 4", 34.54 m) at the conference meet.

"Will could be a national qualifier," said Dimit. "The freshmen picked up the weight throw pretty well indoors so we hope that can translate to the hammer."

Anthony Sozzi (jr. Manalapan, NJ/Manalapan), Danny McAleavey (fr. Howell, NJ/Howell) and Cameron McIver (so. Allenhurst, NJ/Red Bank Reg.) are the javelin group. Last year, Sozzi recorded a career long (174' 10", 53.30 m) at the Lions' Invitational and came in fourth (159' 9", 48.70 m) at the Oscar Moore Invitational. McIver's season best was 144' 4" (44.00 m), which he posted at the Lions' Invitational.

"We are without our national qualifier, Ryan Gebhardt, this year due to injury so the rest of the group will have to pick up the slack," said Dimit. "Those guys have been working hard and are ready to start throwing."

Trey Pascual (fr. Cranford, NJ/Cranford) and John Healy (fr. Lincroft, NJ/Christian Brothers Academy) are the pole vaulters. During the indoor season, Pascual had a top height of 12' 11.5" (3.95 m) and finished eighth at the Lehigh Season Opener. Healy competed in two meets.

"We are very young there but we hope that they continue their development and become conference scorers," said Dimit.

Tariq Hills (fr. Hainesport, NJ/Rancocas Valley Reg.), Colin Phillips (fr. Branchville, NJ/Pope John XXIII), Goodall, Williams and Cardona will all compete in the shot put. Hills came in sixth (43' 11.25", 13.39 m) at the NJAC Indoor Championships. He had a season best 45' 7.25" (13.90 m) at the St. Joseph's Invitational. Phillips recorded a top mark of 44' 8.75" (13.63 m) at the Lehigh Season Opener.

Last year, Goodall registered a season best 42' 7" (12.98 m) at the Danny Curran Invitational. His top distance indoors was 46' 7.25" (14.20 m). Goodall finished fourth (45' 6.5", 13.88 m) at the conference meet. Williams earned All-Conference second team honors with a second place (45' 11.25", 14.00 m) at the NJAC Indoor Championships. His best outdoor mark in 2017 was 45' 11.75" (14.01 m). Indoors, Cardona took third with a season best 44' 6.75" (13.58 m) at the Ramapo Season Opener. He posted a best of 44' (13.41 m) at the 2017 NJAC Outdoor Championships.

"This is a pretty deep group," said Dimit. "Nobody is the clear frontrunner. All of them could end up being our top shot putter."

Cam Daley (jr. Canton, CT/Canton) and Jimmy Manion (so. Williamstown, NJ/Williamstown) are the Profs' decathletes. Daley finished third and garnered NJAC All-Conference honorable mention with a career high score (5,427 points) at the 2017 NJAC Outdoor Championships. He came in second (5,088 points) at the Morgan State Legacy Meet and seventh (5,389 points) at the Oneonta Final Qualifier. It will be Manion's first year competing in the event. In 2017, he had season bests of 5' 8" (1.73 m) in the high jump and 168' 6" (51.37 m) in the javelin.

"We are confident in Cam and Jimmy and their abilities entering the season," continued Dimit. "Both of them should contend for All-Conference."

The Profs travel to Widener University for the Danny Curran Invitational on Friday-Saturday, March 30-31. Rowan hosts the Oscar Moore Invitational on Saturday, April 7. The Penn Relays take place on Thursday-Saturday, April 26-28. The NJAC Championships are Saturday-Sunday, May 5-6 at The College of New Jersey and the All-Atlantic Region Conference Championships are slated for Wednesday-Thursday, May 16-17 at The College at Brockport. The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse is the host for the NCAA Division III Championships on Thursday-Saturday, May 24-26.

Rowan's senior class was the first recruiting class for Dimit after arriving in Glassboro. The group has been impressive, setting numerous school records, earning multiple All-America honors and winning a host of conference and regional titles. The only thing missing is a first place finish at the last meet of the season.

"The national championship is the thing that they are missing," concluded Dimit. "They have the conference and regional titles but that national goal is still there. From the first meeting we had, that's what I stated our goal was. They have seen the growth that we have had as a program. Their motivation this season is completing the final part of their goal."