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NORVELL, DYBAS LEAD RAMS AT FRED HARDY INVITATIONAL RICHMOND, Va. – The comforts of home proved to be pivotal for the Virginia Commonwealth University men’s track & field this past weekend.
”It was nice being at our home track,” Head Coach Julian Spooner said. “Obviously it’s a lot easier on our guys when we don’t have to travel.” Junior Piotr Dybas (Jaslo, Poland) and sophomore Antonio Norvell (Portsmouth, Va.) (right) were the brightest stars on a strong weekend for the Black & Gold. Dybas was the first Ram to lock down a spot in the NCAA East Regionals with a winning time of 8:57.16 in the 3000-meter steeplechase. His time was 10 seconds faster than his personal best and 10 seconds faster than the qualifying time for regionals. ”We felt coming into this week that Piotr had an excellent shot at making regionals,” Spooner said. “The conditions were outstanding and he displayed just how hard he has been working by posting such a quality time.” Norvell was the leader of a dominating display in the sprints for the Rams. The sensational sophomore grabbed a victory in the 200-meter dash with a time of 21.90 and a second-place finish in the 100-meter dash. Along with his individual achievements, he anchored both the victorious 4x100 meter relay squad and the 4x400 meter relay squad that finished second. Junior DeAngelo Wilson (Richmond, Va.) finished just off Norvell’s pace in the 200-meter with a time of 21.95 to claim second place. Classmate Jamal Blyden (Virginia Beach, Va.) placed third (22.24) and sophomore Donnie Seward (Richmond, Va.) grabbed the fifth spot (22.33). VCU also took three of the top four spots in the 100-meter dash with sophomores Brandon Allen (Trenton, N.J.) and Allan Moody (Woodbridge, Va.) stopping the clocks in 11.08 and 11.10, good for third and fourth place in the event.
Sophomore Brian Wallace (Portsmouth, Va.) continued his emergence as VCU’s top jumper with a second-place finish in the triple jump with a leap of 46’ 10 ¼”. In the field, sophomore Cyprian Yankey (Richmond, Va.) (left) heaved the discus to the mark of 141’ 7”, good for fourth place in the event. The Black & Gold will take the week to hit the track hard after a busy weekend to prepare for the Colonial Relays next weekend in Williamsburg, Va.
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Due to some renovations on the University of Richmond campus, the Spiders had to host the annual Fred Hardy Invitational at VCU’s Sports Backers Stadium. 
Later on in the day, Allen helped the Rams claim three of the top five spots in the long jump with a mark of 21’ 11 ¾”, good for third place. Finishing right behind Allen were junior Dwayne Handon (Fairfax Station, Va.) and sophomore Antwan Minter. All rights reserved.
