Men’s Track and Field Signs 14 for 2006-07

Two All-Americans Highlight Class of 2010

06/28/06 11:03AM

WILLIAMSBURG - The Tribe added to its stockpile of talent today with the announcement of the 14-member Class of 2010. Director of Track and Field Dan Stimson and Head Men’s Coach Alex Gibby have brought seven track and field specialists and seven cross country/distance runners to Williamsburg this year, with accomplishments including dozens of all-state honors and a national championship.

Ben Massam (Chatham, NJ) capped off a spectacular prep career two weekends ago by winning the inaugural 5,000m championships at the Nike Outdoor Nationals in 14:48.73. Last fall, he finished second at the New Jersey Meet of Champions in cross country, and took seventh this spring in the 3,000m run at the Penn Relays with a time of 8:30.90. Jameson Bilsborrow (Coldwater, MI), one of the top six or seven milers in the nation, performed as expected at the Nike Nationals, earning All-American honors after finishing fifth in track and field’s signature race. He set his personal best in the mile one week earlier, winning the Midwest Meet of Champions with a time of 4:10.40. The 2006 Michigan indoor state champ at 1,600m, Bilsborrow enters the College holding the Michigan Division II state record for 800m, 1:53.63, and having run 3:58.60 for 1,500m.

Jeff Perrella (Westfield, NJ) made the Foot Locker Nationals in cross country after finishing seventh at the Northeast Regional, and finished third in the New Jersey Meet of Champions, right behind Massam. He returned the favor this spring, though, running ahead of Massam at the Penn Relays to finish sixth in the 3,000m championship. At nationals, Perella finished 12th in the 2-Mile championship; his time, when converted, marks out at 8:29.39 for 3,000m. Patterson Wilhelm (Lynchburg, VA) also competed in the 2-Mile, after a season which saw him take second in the indoor 1,600m at the Virginia AAA championships and earn two all-state nods outdoors, finishing sixth in the 1,600m and fourth in the 3,200m. In cross country, he took third at the state meet in 2004, and finished 21st at the Foot Locker South Regional that same year. He enters with prep bests of 4:14.89 for 1,600m and 9:17.36 for 3,200m.

Lewis Woodard (Charlotte, NC) starred at Providence Day School, winning consecutive NCISAA (private schools) 3A state championships and conference championships in cross country. He also outshined the field at the 2006 track championships, winning the 800m and 1,600m (in 4:18.97) and leading the state-title-winning 4x800m relay. Richard Morris (Burkeville, VA) was the Virginia AA indoor state champ at 3,200m and also earned all-state honors by finishing seventh at 1,600m. Morris took third in the Foot Locker South Regional Senior’s race, two weeks after finishing 15th at the state championships.

Sean Mahoney (Philadelphia, PA) enters William and Mary steeped in the running traditions of eastern Pennsylvania. He was third in the state in the mile this spring, and was invited to compete at the Penn Relays, taking 15th in the mile. His prep records include 4:16.15 for 1,600m and 8:57.7 for 3,000m. Alex Ball (Winchester, VA) will replenish the ranks of throwers for Coach Stimson as a shot putter and discus thrower. This spring, Ball won the region title in the discus, uncorking a monster throw of 167' 1" that was eleven feet beyond his previous best in the event. His throw in the discus also earned him an invitation to the Nike Nationals. In the state shot put championship, Ball again hit a personal record, throwing 52’ 5” to earn runner-up honors.

Andrew Bennett (Fredericksburg, VA) transfers in from the Naval Academy as a sprinter and jumper. A 2005 graduate of Colonial Forge, he earned all district, region, and state honors in 2005. He finished sixth in the 400m championship and fourth in the high jump, and carries personal records of 49.81 in the 400m and 6’ 4” in the high jump. Kiernan Lofland (Crozier, VA) is a stand-out pole vaulter from St. Christopher’s in Richmond. He set his personal best of 15’ 3” in a five-way meet in January, and was all league as a junior and senior, and all-state in 2005.

Martin Ross (Brentwood, TN) is a decathlete and hurdler, and won the Tennessee independent schools 110 hurdles state championship. That year he also took second in the state in the 300 hurdles, 4x400m relay, and decathlon. His best times include 14.50 in the 110 hurdles, 55.20 in the 400 hurdles, and 6,302 points in the decathlon. Chad Cochran (Centreville, VA) will join Lofland in the pole vault corps, and was all-state outdoors in 2005 (with a personal-best vault of 14 feet) and indoors in 2006.

Adam Gawne (Lyndonville, NY) and Brandon Oliver (Richmond, VA) round out the class and complement Ball in the throwing department. Oliver is a shot put specialist who has earned all-state honors in the past four state championships (indoor and outdoor), culminating with his performance in this year’s outdoor championship when he took third place with a personal record throw of 55’ 3”. Gawne ranked nationally this season with best throws in the 16-lbs hammer of 145’ 11” and the 12-lbs hammer of 161 feet.