Worcester, MA --- WPI Men's Track and Field athletes Jarrett Arredondo (Somerville, MA) and Jeff Baker (Wallingford, CT) have been selected to compete at the 2009 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championships hosted by Marietta (OH).  Arredondo will be participating in the hammer throw on Thursday at 1pm while Baker will be competing in the javelin on the same day at 3:30pm. 

It marks the second straight season the duo has earned a trip to the NCAA Championships.  A year ago at Wisconsin-Oshkosh, Arredondo placed 11th in the hammer while Baker finished 17th in the javelin.

Arrendondo is a three-time NCAA qualifier who earned his trip to the Marietta with a throw of 186-0 at the New England Division III Championships hosted by Springfield.  The junior won the hammer throw at his first five meets this spring, including at the NEWMAC championships, where he also took home the title in the shot put.  Arrendondo's performance at the New England Division III Championships placed him second behind the number one ranked thrower in the country. He is seeded third overall and will be the second thrower in flight one. 

Baker earned automatic qualification on just his second heave of the season, a toss of 207-6 at the Worcester City Meet on March 28th.  The sophomore brought home the gold for the second straight year at the NEWMAC Championships and took home top prize at the New England Division III Championships after finishing second as a freshman last spring.  Baker is seeded third overall and will be the eight thrower in flight one on Thursday afternoon.

Both student-athletes took home major honor at the WPI Athletics Award Banquet on May 1st.  Arredondo won the Poly Club Award, which presented to the top male athlete in the junior class, who has an outstanding academic record along with campus involvement of a non-athletic nature.  Baker earned the Leo S. Jansson Award presented to the sophomore male athlete who best exemplifies the high standards expressed in "The WPI Athlete." The WPI Athlete is someone who, through hard work and positive attitude, achieves success above and beyond ability while representing the University with distinction.     

The Engineers are coached by Brian Chabot.  Assistant coaches include Mike Stomski, Vinny Kotowski, Miguel Concepcion and Mike Maceiko

Championship Website - hosted by Marietta (OH)