NEW LONDON, CT (April 15, 2016) -- The Vassar College men's track team started action at the two-day Silfen Invitational, highlighted by a stellar performance by senior Taylor Vann in his first decathlon of the season. 

Friday proved to be a strong start for Vann in the decathlon, as he leads the competition after five events with a mark of 3525 points, eclipsing his previous decathlon day one personal best of 3268 points. Vann started the afternoon by tying the school record for the 100 meter dash, as he registered a time of 11.20. Vann would continue later with another school record, breaking the shot put mark that he set last week, tossing the shot 12.01 meters. 

He later chalked up yet one more school record, this time smashing the high jump mark with a height of 1.91 meters, eclipsing the 1.85 meter outdoor mark set last season by Vann. He finished the day with a 51.43 in the 400 meters, which was a personal record for the senior out of Coventry, CT. 

Junior Gabe Fishman also ran Friday evening as part of the elite competition field, and he finished fifth overall and first in his heat in the 800 meters with a 1:55.76, his second-fastest time ever. 

"Great efforts, great performances," said interim coordinator of track and cross country at Vassar College James McCowan. "Everyone really engaged in their competitions, competed tough. This helps set us up well for League's next week and the big races to come. Very proud of everyone and excited to see the rest of the team compete tomorrow and to see Taylor carry on with the decathlon."

"Our championship season starts next week and the goal of this weekend is to get out there and get some of the marks we have been fighting for," said interim head track coach Justin Harris. "All the athletes today really fought hard to be successful, and we are super proud of the start to this two-day meet." 

The rest of the Brewers squad will join its teammates in New London, CT tomorrow for the second and final day of action at the Silfen Invitational, with events starting at 10 a.m. at Connecticut College.