NEW LONDON, CT (April 16, 2016) – Saturday marked one of the most historic days in program history for the Vassar College men's track team, as senior Taylor Vann completed a truly sensational performance in the decathlon at the Silfen Invitational on the campus of Connecticut College.

After posting three school records and four personal bests on Friday evening, it would have been easy for Vann to coast for the win in the decathlon as no one was within sight of him after the first five events. That though did not happen, and in fact, Vann's performances ramped up.

The senior finished with a program record and personal best point total of 6598 points, which was over 500 points better than his previous school record of 6,024. Vann started the day with a 15.99 in the 110 hurdles, which was a decathlon personal record. He followed that up by adding another school record and personal best in the discus, tossing the disc 35.84 meters.

Later on in the pole vault, Vann added another school record with a 3.45 meter vault to take home 469 points. In the last throwing event of the competition, Vann added his sixth and final school record of the weekend in the javelin, as he earned 632 points with a 52.90 heave. In the 10^th and final event of the decathlon, Vann ran away from the field to win the 1500 meters with a time of 4:43. In all, he chalked up seven personal bests and six school marks.

"What he did this weekend is truly remarkable," said interim coordinator of cross country and track James McCowan. "This places him at the top of the national list as of right now, and in all likelihood this will advance him to the NCAA Championships." 

In other action Saturday afternoon, the men's 1500 runners all posted solid and tactical races. Sophomore Michael Scarlett finished 20^th overall with a time of 4:12.08, while teammate and classmate Philip Brown added a time of 4:14.13 for 22^nd place. Jared Freedman also placed within the top 30 for the Brewers, as he was 26^th with a time of 4:16.09.

Senior Colin Hepburn ran his second fastest 5000 meter run of his career on Saturday with a 16:13.72. In the 200 meters, Peter Winkeller added a 22.80 for 14^th place, while Elijah Winston was 19^th with a 23.09 and Joel Johnson added a 23.36 in the 200 in a strong field. In the 400 meters, Dylan Manning was sixth overall with a 51.13, earning points for the Brewers.

In the 4x100 meter relay, Vassar took third, as Morrie Lam, Kyle Estrada, Winkeller and Dylan Manning teamed to run a time of 44.49. Lam was eighth in the long jump with a 6.12 meter leap, translating to a 20"1" jump.

"Things are beginning to click for us," said interim coordinator of cross country & track James McCowan. "Very proud of the team's effort and focus. Liberty League's are next week and this shows we are poised to perform well."

The Brewers will head to Canton, NY next Saturday for the Liberty League Championships, hosted by St. Lawrence University at 11 a.m. in the first championship of the season for Vassar.