NEWARK, Del. (1/30/10) - Sophomore Aaron Lucas (Union, N.J.) placed third in a pair of events to lead a strong showing for the Kean University men's and women's indoor track and field teams at the Thomson Invitational at University of Delaware on Saturday afternoon. The Kean men finished sixth overall out of 13 Division II and III teams, while the women placed tied for 10th.

Lucas qualified for ECAC Division III Indoor Championships in two events after clearing 1.93 meters in the high jump and leaping 6.77 meters in the long jump to place third in both events.

Junior Doug Bonner (Metuchen, N.J.) had the team's highest finish in the meet, as he placed second in the 500-meter dash in an ECAC qualifying time of 1:08.18. Rookie Vincent Schifini (CLiffwood Beach, N.J.) finished third in the pole vault, clearing 4.20 meters.

In other field events, junior John Badala (Scotch Plains, N.J.) added an eight place showing in the shot put (13.11 meters).

On the track, freshman Kevin Persson (Mount Olive, N.J.) was sixth (51.36 seconds) and senior Matt Gough (Jefferson, N.J.) was eighth (51.99 seconds) in the 400-meter dash, while freshman Jaris Rousseau (Paterson, N.J.) was seventh in the 500-meter dash (1:12.22).

Sophomore Chris Edwards (Camden, N.J.) added a fifth place showing in the 1,000-meter run (2:58.22), while rookie Joe Badru (Keansburg, N.J.) was eighth in the 200-meter dash (23.29).

In the relay events, Gough, Persson, junior Chris Pegeron (Plainfield, N.J.) and freshman Barry Clark (Newark, N.J.) placed third in the 1600-meter relay (3:31.98), while the four-some of Bonner, Rousseau, senior Ashwin Anantharaman (Hightstown, N.J.) and freshman Dennis Hassel (Blackwood, N.J.) were fourth in the 3200-meter relay (8:37.19).

For the Kean women, junior Alyssa Crosby (Hackensack, N.J.) had the team's best finish, placing fifth in the 500-meter dash (1:29.57). Rookie Ashley Arnao (Linden, N.J.) was eighth in the 60-meter hurdles (11.14).

In the field events, sophomore Maria Moya (Matawan, N.J.) added a sixth-place finish in the pole vault (2.70 meters).