Anderson leaps to first place at IC4As

The 1998-99 men's indoor track season mercifully ended with IC4As the weekend of March 6. Although the best part about the season for many of the athletes is the fact that it is now over, there were a few bright spots for the Quakers. Penn senior Stan Anderson capped off a great season with a dramatic first-place finish in the triple jump. Anderson reached back for something extra on his final jump when he came from behind to win the event after four short jumps and one foul. "I hadn't been jumping as well as I usually do -- up until then it was one of my worst meets," Anderson said. "When the pressure was on, that's when it hit me that I had to put in a big one." Although most of the athletes don't share his feelings about the season and IC4As, Anderson was happy about the results, in spite of the fact that he barely missed going to the NCAA meet. "I was a little depressed about not going to Nationals. To go to ICs was sort of anti-climactic, but I'm glad [because] of the way it worked out." Penn freshman Tuan Wreh turned the heads of his teammates when he jumped decently at the meet despite his youth and lack of experience. "Tuan Wreh jumped well, especially being a freshman," Penn junior Matt Pagliasotti said. Pagliasotti was not happy with his own performance, however. He did beat teammate Kyle Turley in the 35-lb. weight throw after Turley threatened to "teach him a lesson" but the victory was mostly due to three fouls by Turley. After performing well at Heptagonals when his team needed him most, Pagliasotti will move past ICs and build upon the indoor season in anticipation of the outdoor ICs. "[Turley] didn't do well and I didn't do well," Pagliasotti said. "I'm glad I was able to break out at Heps. I look at the indoor season as more of a prep phase for the outdoor season." The throwers were not alone in their qualification difficulties. Penn pole vaulters Aaron Prokopec and Luke Stokes failed to clear opening height, capping off a season filled with ups and downs that included not only no-heights, but also numerous top-four finishes at meets with a similar caliber of competition. They will also have to put the indoor season behind them and try to prove themselves during the outdoor season. After an amazing breakthrough performance by the Penn 4x400-meter relay team a few weeks ago, only two of the original four competitors ran for the Quakers last weekend due to injuries. Penn sophomore Mike Aguilar pulled his hamstring during the 400-meter dash and joined Steve Faulk on the sidelines. "It is a disappointment," Aguilar said. "I didn't get to compete last year because of the same injury. I feel that the 4x4 performed pretty well considering we ran two substitutes. "I'm looking forward to outdoor -- indoor doesn't treat me that well." Most of the athletes share Aguilar's sentiments about the indoor season and they will have the opportunity to improve when they start the outdoor season by hosting the Quaker Invitational Sunday. After a disappointing indoor season, Penn hopes to show the rest of the Ivy League that it is a contender. "Overall nobody was extremely happy with their performance, except maybe Stan," Penn junior Sean MacMillan said. "I think that there are a few things for some individuals to build on from indoors."

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