McBirney, Neitlich Lead Men's Track & Field at NEICAAA Indoor Championships

BOSTON, Mass. -- Junior Kevin McBirney (East Bridgewater, Mass.), sophomore Michael Neitlich (Middleboro, Mass.) and seniors Exondus Barnes (East Providence, R.I.) and Thomas Barinelli (Tewksbury, Mass.) earned All-NEICAAA honors to lead the Bridgewater State University men's indoor track & field teamc during day two of the New England Intercollegiate Amateur Athletic Association (NEICAAA) Indoor Track & Field Championships held on Saturday at The Track at New Balance.

McBirney outdistanced the field in the finals of the 800-meter run as he posted a time of 1:54.04 to capture the New England title and earn All-NEICAAA honors. McBirney finished third (1:54.65) in Friday's preliminaries.

Neitlich garnered All-NEICAAA accolades in the 500-meter dash as he placed seventh in the finals with a time of 1:06.08. He was also seventh (1:06.03) in Friday's preliminaries.

Barnes and Barinelli placed sixth and eighth, respectively, in the high jump to round out the Bears All-NEICAAA performers. Barnes jumped six feet, 3.25 inches (1.91m) while Barinelli recorded a mark of six feet, 1.25 inches (1.86m).

Junior Chigozie Adigwe (Lowell, Mass.) and Barinelli finished 12th and 18th, respectively, in the 60-meter hurdles. Adigwe recorded a time of 8.50 seconds while Barinelli checked in at 8.67.

The BSU men's track & field team finished in 15th place in the team standings with 17 points. The meet featured New England teams from all three NCAA divisions.

Stalters and senior Jason Dann (Reading, Mass.) also competed a short distance away at the Tufts Qualifying Meet.

Stalters placed fifth in the shot put with a distance of 51 feet, 1.50 inches (15.58m) while Dann was fifth in the weight throw with a toss of 53 feet. 9.25 inches (16.39m).