Dexter Benkard finished in third place in the 10,000-meter run to lead the St. Lawrence University men's outdoor track and field team a the All Atlantic Region Track and Field Conference Championships at St. John Fisher on Wednesday.

Benkard finished the race in 32:15.20, more than 12 seconds better than his previous best performance. George David Gowdy dropped 20 seconds off his personal best in the event to finish in eighth place with a time of 32:48.52.

Matt Abell also had a podium finish for the Saints, finishing in eighth place in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, while Connor Lambert sits in seventh place in the decathlon with 3,122 points after the first day of competition. 

Jackson Hamilton and Michael Skutt finished in 11th and 12th, respectively, in the 5,000 for the Saints.

Through eight of 22 events, St. Lawrence is in sits in 14th place in the 32-team field with eight points. SUNY Geneseo leads the field with 40 points.

Hamilton will compete in the 1,500, and Lambert will close out competition in the decathlon for the Saints tomorrow.

Head Coach John Newman '94
"Connor had a career best day one in the decathlon and even PR'd in the shot put. We're looking forward day two and see if he can move up the standings. Dexter closed out his track and field career and he and George both were both lights out in the 10k and positioned themselves for some team points in the process. Abell ran a very gutsy steeplechase and was able to hold on for a team point in that event despite a very quick start. I'm proud of the guys' efforts today in by far the most competitive meet we've seen in well over a year."

St. Lawrence Day 1 Competitors
Dexter Benkard - Third place, 10,000 (32:15.20)
Matt Abell - Eighth place, 3,000 steeplechase (9:49.20)
George David Gowdy - 10th place, 10,000 (32:48.52)
Jackson Hamilton - 11th place, 5,000 (15:42.35)
Michael Skutt - 12th place, 5,000 (15:45.02)
Erik Geier - DNF, 110 hurdles

Day 1 Results