MANHATTAN, N.Y. (NJCUGothicKnights.com) | The New Jersey City University men's track and field team had an outstanding first day at the ECAC Championships at the New Balance Track & Field Center in Manhattan, N.Y. on March 6. The team sits in fifth place after Day One, ahead of 20 total teams and 10 teams that scored in the opener of the two-day championships.
 
The 4x200 Meter Relay shined, in particular, finishing with a time of 1:30.39, shattering the previous PR for this group, and coming in as the top time in the NJAC all season in the 4x2. The time was also good for fifth all-time in school history, and the fastest time since the 2006 ECAC Championships.
 
The relay team consisted of: Xavier Freeman (Newark, NJ/St. Benedict's Prep), Jon DeJesus (Perth Amboy, NJ/Perth Amboy), Jason Garcia (Jersey City, NJ/Dickinson), and Dave Etienne (Jersey City, NJ/Dickinson). The foursome finished second overall, collecting eight points in the process.
 
The other six team points came from the Distance Medley Relay Team. The foursome of: Adnan Kpodo (Irvington, NJ/Irvington), Emmanuel Chinonso Abrarh, Muhammed Jawneh (South River, NJ/South River), and Jaime Tlatelpa (Jersey City, NJ/University Academy Charter). The team finished third with a time of 11:13.34 for six team points.
 
On the qualifying side of things, Jason Garcia (Jersey City, NJ/Dickinson) qualified for the 60 Meter Dash Finals to take place on Saturday, taking seventh with a time of 7.22. 
 
Shakeem Gipson (Newark, NJ/Technology) just missed out on scoring, finishing ninth in the Shot Put with a distance of 11.30 M. 
 
UP NEXT:
Day Two of the ECAC Championships. Be sure to come back for final standings and awards.
 
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