Steph Mattson
Steph Mattson

Mattson Continues to Attack Record Book, Qualifies for New England Finals; Higgins Leads Men

BOSTON, Mass. – Bentley University junior Stephanie Mattson (Smithfield, R.I./Smithfield HS) broke her own school record while qualifying for Saturday's finals in the 400 meters during the New England Indoor Track and Field Championships at the Reggie Lewis Center Friday afternoon.

Mattson, one of eight to advance, finished sixth of 32 in the prelims with her time of 57.83 seconds improving on the Bentley record of 58.41 that she set during the 2017 Boston University Valentine's Invitational. It was the sixth best recorded by a Northeast-10 Conference runner so far this season and less than a second out of the top three.

Mattson's day also included finishing third among Division II student-athletes and 21st overall in the long jump (17'4.75").

The top finisher for the Bentley men was senior Seamus Higgins (Randolph, N.J./Randolph HS), who posted a clocking of 15:30.52 in the 5,000. That was 15th overall and second among Division II competitors.

Freshman Robert Moritz (Singapore) had Bentley's best time in the men's 400 (50.96, 22nd) and freshman Richard Crowley (Walpole/Walpole HS) was the Falcons' top finisher in the 500 (1:10.26, 23rd).

Going back to the women's side, junior Tina Touri (Watertown/Watertown HS) was the first Falcon to finish in the 800 (25th, 2:26.77).

The New Englands continue on Saturday with Mattson running the 400 finals at 2:15 pm and Bentley competing in both 4x400 relays later in the afternoon.