The track and field team traveled to Bucknell University last Friday for the Bucknell Tune-Up, marking its final meet before the Patriot League indoor championships.
The men’s squad was led by junior John Liedtka in the 60-meter hurdles (8.35), senior J.P. Pfisterer in the 400-meter (49.52) and senior Ben Hill in the pole vault (15’ 11”), each earning first place. Hill’s clearance moved him from fourth to third on the program’s all-time list, while Pfisterer’s time ranks seventh all-time.
“It was my third attempt, and I was on a pole I’d never used before,” Hill said. “I’ve been determined to move up to bigger poles, especially with leagues coming up. It can be a little weird adjusting to new poles, but I just trust myself. I know I’m fast and strong enough to handle them.”
Junior Harrison Rosen finished third in the men’s 60-meter dash (7.02). Freshman Ethan Buck added another third-place result for the Leopards in the 5,000-meter (16:17.43). Senior Liam Sawian also earned a third-place finish in the 60-meter hurdles (8.57), placing him eighth on the Leopards’ all-time list.
Sophomore Kaseme Leckie placed fifth in the 200-meter (22.32). Sophomore Josh Wagner took home sixth in the mile (4:32.34). Junior Ivan Tejada also finished sixth in the shot put (52’ 6.75”) and added a ninth-place mark in the weight throw (52’ 2.5”).
“I’m trying to win,” Hill said, looking ahead to championships. “I do my best when I’m trying to compete rather than just clear bars. I’ve been trying to make that podium for two years, I’ve come in fourth twice now, so I wanna get up there.”
Senior Kira Marr led the women’s group with a first-place finish in the 3,000-meter (10:27.88). Freshman Lexi Powers also added a fifth-place finish in the race (11:04.32).
“I had an idea I’d be leading, and having my teammates call out splits and paces during the race was a huge help,” Marr said. “I felt strong and was happy to close out my last 3K on a high note.”
Freshman Kennedy Miller posted a third-place finish in the shot put (42’ 2”), with sophomore Kristin DeBolt adding a ninth-place mark in the event (38’ 1.25”). Miller also followed with a fifth-place result in the weight throw (49’ 1.5”). Freshman Sophie Agner contributed a seventh-place result in the high jump (4’ 11”).
Freshman Maeve McNamee earned a sixth-place finish for the Leopards in the mile (5:16.48). Freshman Braelyn Graham crossed in eighth (5:18.86), and junior Bridget Shaver in 10th (5:24.45).
In the 800-meter, freshman Zoe Cimo placed seventh (2:21.90), with freshman Ryan Ireland close behind in eighth (2:24.75).
Sophomore Lily Jenkins finished eighth in the 200-meter (26.77), and junior Madeline Convy followed in 10th (26.81). In the 400-meter, freshman Farrah Dello Russo and sophomore Leah Rudolph placed eighth (1:02.96) and ninth (1:04.10), respectively.
The Leopards head to Boston University on Friday for Patriot League championships, where they will compete on Saturday and Sunday.
“Great things to come in Boston this weekend,” Hill said.