CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Vladimir Popusoi (Greenfield, Mass.) set a new school record in the pole vault to highlight a solid day for the UMass Lowell track and Field teams at the USATF New England Championships, Sunday, at the Albert H. Gordon Track at Harvard.
 
"He's tougher mentally and physically this year and his approach has really matured," said UMass Lowell Head Coach Gary Gardner.  "He takes things more seriously.  His running, his lifting; he realizes that all the little things are important."
 
In an event where records are broken by inches or fractions of an inch, Popusoi took not an eraser to the record book but rather a wrecking ball.  He won the pole vault clearing the bar at 16-feet, 8 3/4-inches.  It was his second record setting vault of the day having cleared the bar earlier at 16-feet, four inches.  Popusoi previously held the school record at 16-feet, 2 1/4-inches.  It was the third time that he set a new school record this season.
 
"Now a bad day for him is 16-feet," said Gardner.  "And a couple of months ago that would have been a record.  Now he is consistently at 16 feet or better."
 
The vault is the best this season by an America East athlete and appears to reflect a work ethic and technical consistency that is paying dividends.  From week to week, Popusoi has consistently pushed his limits and the limits of the event.
 
"He's in ridiculously good shape and he is so consistent technically," said Gardner.  "We knew he was talented, but we've been surprised by the consistency.  He's vaulting 16-feet almost every week.  (Jumps Coach) Pat Swett has done a terrific job with him.  He makes me look good."
 
Although Popusoi's performance was the highlight, it was one of many solid efforts as the teams prepare for next weekend's America East Conference Championships.
 
Junior Rino Tonelli (Shrewsbury, Mass.) turned in another strong performance in the high jump.  He finished second with a leap of six-feet, 9 3/4-inches.
 
"He's bigger, he faster, he's stronger and he's more mature now," according to Gardner.  "He understands the event better."
 
The jump was just an inch under his personal best.  He currently sits third on the America East performance list.
 
Three River Hawk men picked up second place finishes on the track. 
 
Junior Thomas Teachen (Titusville, N.J.) finished second in the 3,000-meters.  He clocked in at eight-minutes, 39-seconds.  The time qualifies Teachen for the 3,000-meters at the conference championships.  That was the goal for a runner who has battled illness during the season.
 
Junior Richard Mulo (Malden, Mass.) grabbed a second in the 60-meter dash.  He hit the finish line in a time of 6.98-seconds.  A time under seven seconds should play well at the conference meet and Mulo has shown a consistency in recent weeks.
 
Sophomore Kevin Saccone (Mattapoisett, Mass.) turned in a time of 8.35-seconds in the 60-meter hurdles to earn a second place finish.  The time was a tenth of a second off his season best set a month ago.
 
Several women excelled on the track as well.
 
Junior Jessica Amedee (Tewksbury, Mass.) won the 60-meter hurdles with a time of 9.00-seconds.  Gardner described Amedee's performance as "explosive."
 
A couple of sprinters battling back from injuries also impressed.  Sophomore Alethia Moore (New Haven, Conn.) and junior Nikayla Simpson (Brockton, Mass.) battling back from injuries turned in solid performances one week before the conference meet.
 
Moore finished second in the 200-meters with a time of 25.81-seconds.  Simpson was third in the 400-meters clocking in at 58.17-seconds. 
 
The times were less important than the fact that both ran well and looked healthy and ready to compete  next weekend.  At the America East Championships each may be called upon to compete in multiple events and trials as well as finals.
 
A couple of throwers also turned in personal best performances in the weight throw.  Junior Celeste Pipia (Elmont, N.Y.) heaved the ball 48-feet, 8 1/2-inches.
 
Sophomore Forrest Gyurcsik (Westford, Mass.) was marked at 52-feet, 9 3/4-inches.  The throw was good for a third place finish.
 
Next weekend the so-called "Championship Season" will get started.  The America East Conference Indoor Championships will take place Friday and Saturday, February 24th and 25th, at the Track and Tennis Center at Boston University.