WEST CHESTER, Penn. (March 25, 2017) –The Rutgers University-Camden track team has not only been increasing its size, but the Scarlet Raptors are continuing to improve their performances with each passing week.
 
After a fine indoor season, the Scarlet Raptors opened the outdoor track and field season here Saturday at the Golden Rams Invitational, hosted by West Chester University. Sophomore star Cameron Dobbins (Williamstown, NJ/Williamstown) didn't waste any time switching into gear, running a pair of ECAC qualifiers to lead a strong team effort. Dobbins finished second of 41 runners in the 100-meter dash and second of 48 at 200 meters, posting ECAC qualifiers of 10.79 and 21.71, respectively.
 
Another outstanding performance was turned in by sophomore Drew Harper (Collingswood, NJ/Collingwood), who finished sixth of 14 in the hammer (38.31 meters), 10th of 25 in the shot put (11.94) and 16th of 25 in the discus (30.94
 
The Raptors turned in fine performances in the javelin throw by a pair of freshmen, as Matt Gross (Marlton, NJ/Cherokee) and Jordan Erskine (Barnegat, NJ/Barnegat) finished fifth of 17 competitors in the men (48.46 meters) and women (32.05 meters), respectively.
 
Junior Alisa Singleton (Somerdale, NJ/Sterling) had another outstanding meet, finishing fifth of 17 in the 100-meter hurdles (15.85), 17th of 42 in the 100-meter dash (13.45) and 18th of 42 in the 200-meter dash 27.80).
 
Freshman Olivia Rocks (Cinnaminson, NJ/Cinnaminson) continued her strong performances from indoor season by placing 10th of 29 at 1,500 meters (5:34.06) and 12th of 29 at 800 meters (2:35.59).
 
In the throwing events, sophomore Ki-Jana Shockley (Millville, NJ/Millville) was ninth of 26 in the discus (29.66 meters), 14th of 32 in the shot put (9.54) and 14th of 18 in the hammer (26.34). Freshman Nicole DeMarco (Gloucester City, NJ/Gloucester City) finished ninth of 17 in the javelin (28.43) and 10th of 32 in the shot put (10.07), while junior Michelle Impoco (Somerdale, NJ/Highland Regional) finished 11th of 18 in the hammer (31.43) and 15th of 26 in the discus (27.36). Another thrower, freshman Kyleigh Stevenson (Carneys Point, NJ/Penns Grove) finished 10th of 17 in the javelin (27.13) and 18th of 32 in the shot put (8.95).
 
On the track, freshman Tina Baker (Camden, NJ/Camden) was 18th of 42 at 100 meters (13.46) and 15th of 22 at 400 meters (1:04.40), while sophomore Shontiana Butcher (Hammonton, NJ/Hammonton) finished 25th of 42 at 100 meters (13.76) and 33rd of 42 at 200 meters (29.02). Another freshman, Nicolette Stafford (Swedesboro, NJ/Kingsway Regional) finished 31st of 42 at 100 meters (14.07) and 32nd of 42 at 200 meters (28.98), while also combining with Baker, Butcher and Singleton to place fourth of six in the 4x100 (52.58).
 
Sophomore Courtney Childress (Deptford, NJ/Deptford) and freshman Jessica Fronckowiak (Deptford, NJ/Gloucester Catholic) placed 19th and 23rd, respectively, out of 29 with 1,500-meter times of 6:02.83 and 6:19.33. Childress also was 23rd of 29 at 800 meters (2:47.36), while Fronckowiak was 28th (3:12.60).
 
On the men's side, freshman Alfred Banks Jr. (Camden, NJ/Camden) made his collegiate debut finishing 20th of 48 at 200 meters (23.96) and 21st of 36 at 400 meters (55.04), while freshman Scott Bamberg Jr. (Newark, NJ/St. Benedict's Prep) placed 20th of 40 at 800 meters (2:07.47). Junior Richard Campolungo (Burlington, NJ/Holy Cross) finished 26th of 40 at 800 meters (2:12.89) and was eighth out of 26 competitors at 1,500 meters (4:34.04).
 
Junior Ken Robinson (Teaneck, NJ/Blessed Sacrament Saint Gabriel) finished 13th out of 25 shot putters (11.49).
 
Three other men making their outdoor track debut with the Scarlet Raptors were freshman Abraham Nwaemo (Camden, NJ/LEAP Academy), sophomore Chris Brown (Queens, NY/St. John's Preparatory School) and junior Eric Gilchrist (New Castle, DE/Christiana). Nwaemo finished 29th of 41 in the 100-meter dash, 42nd of 48 at 200 meters (26.92), Brown was 32nd of 48 at 200 meters (24.90) and Gilchrist was 27th of 48 at 200 meters (24.46) and 14th of 36 at 400 meters (52.92). The trio also combined with Dobbins to finish third of five in the 4x100 (44.55).
 
Sophomore Tom Meyer (West Deptford, NJ/West Deptford) had a busy day, competing in the 200-meter dash (36th of 48, 25.32), the 110 hurdles (12th of 13 18.23) and the long jump (17th of 21, 5.30 meters).
 
Rutgers-Camden returns to action Friday, March 31, and Saturday, April 1, at the Stockton University Invitational in Galloway.
 
Sat. 25   Golden Rams Invitational