Erskine College

Hickory, NC- The Erskine running programs wrapped up their spring campaign this weekend at the NCAA II Regional meet hosted by Lenoir-Rhyne. The Flying Fleet took advantage of the wonderful weather and posted some impressive times and finished among the best in the region in several events.

Senior Joseph Sell led the way for the Fleet as he blew the competition away in the men’s 800m. Sell made a decisive move halfway through the race, as he dropped a 27.44 200m from the 400m to the 600m mark and lost all competitors and powered down the home stretch to finish in a new personal best and school record time of 1:56.36. Sell went on to compete unattached the following day in the VertKlasse meeting at High Point University where he recorded a 4:08.14 over 1500m.

Fellow senior Adam Groblewski also ran very well as he finished second in the 1500m race Saturday. Groblewski, due a slow pace, was forced to take the lead and string the pack out in hopes of recording a fast time. Groblewski led the field through an opening lap of 1:07 then through 800m in 1:06. Adam then dropped the hammer and ran a 1:03, but Lees-McRae’s Michael Davis rode his shoulder and took control on the back stretch. Groblewski tried to hang on, but was weary from doing most of the work during the race and he finished right behind Davis in 4:06.71. Groblewski also competed at the VertKlasse meeting where he ran an incredible 15:04.03 to finish 5th in a very steep field that was led by Canadian Olympian Taylor Milne.

Sophomore Chas Culberson also competed in Saturday’s events. Culberson opened up the day with a 4:12.19 1500m which is his second fastest performance over the distance. This was good enough to place him an impressive 6th in a field of 19. Culberson then came back with a personal best of 2:03.13 in the 800m. This was a very strong double for Culberson.

Robert McCarthy also ran in the 1500m where he recorded a time of 4:56.89. McCarthy then scratched from the 800m because of nagging shin pain.

The men’s team will now have some down time before graduating three seniors on May 15. The remaining members of the team, along with several incoming freshmen, will begin to rebuild their aerobic base as they set their sites on the upcoming fall season.