The track and field team split up last weekend, sending athletes to East Stroudsburg University and Princeton University to compete in Saturday meets.
At East Stroudsburg, junior Harrison Rosen got things rolling with a second-place finish in the 100-meter (11.04) before adding another second-place result in the 200-meter (22.18).
Sophomore Josh Wagner took the win in the men’s 1,500-meter (4:02.67) with senior Cole Chukoskie following in second (4:03.17) and sophomore Cole Scattergood in fourth (4:10.36). Junior John Liedtka added another victory for the Leopards in the 110-meter hurdles (14.90).
“The conditions weren’t great, I was running into a bit of a headwind, but a win is a win,” Liedtka said. “I’m looking to run some PRs. I’ve gotten a lot faster over the hurdles this year, so with good competition to push me, I think it’s only a matter of time.”
In the field events, sophomore Jack Larson won the pole vault (15’ 11”), with senior Ben Hill taking third (14’ 5.25”). Junior Niko Williams earned second in the discus throw (149’ 11”), and junior Ivan Tejada placed third in the shot put (50’ 2”). Senior Bobby McClosky added a third-place finish in the javelin (193’ 7”).
On the women’s side, the Leopards swept places two through five in the 400-meter. Sophomore Lilly Bradfield led the group in second (57.93), followed by junior Gabby Buber (58.03), senior Maeve Waldron (59.24) and junior Madeline Convy (59.49).
In the women’s 1,500-meter, junior Bridget Shaver placed third (4:55.17) with freshman Megan Niglio finishing close behind in fourth (4:55.60). Sophomore Iyun Franklyn-Ayeni took fourth in the 100-meter hurdles (15.58), and senior Julianne Gallo earned third in the 400-meter hurdles (1:09.34).
“Everyone is still settling back into racing outdoors, which always takes a bit of an adjustment,” senior Isabella Allen said.
In the field events, Allen finished third in the pole vault (10’ 6.25”), with junior Bridget O’Mara taking fourth at the same height. Sophomore Kristin DeBolt added a fourth-place finish in the discus (127’ 9”).
“10’ 6” was a season’s best for me, so that was exciting,” Allen said. “I’ve been working through some technical things, so it was nice to finally see it translate in competition.”
In the shot put, freshmen Kennedy Miller and Ava Reese claimed second and third with throws of 41’ 3.75” and 41’ 2.25”, respectively. Miller also won the hammer (152’ 11”), where senior Zoe Krumwiede placed fifth (145’ 9”).
At Princeton, freshman Hunter Parsons paced the men’s side with a win in the 800-meter (1:53.15), while senior J.P. Pfisterer followed in eighth (1:54.30).
“I felt good about my race, I knew it was going to be an opportunity to run fast,” Parsons said.
In the women’s 800-meter, freshman Katelynn Barthold placed third (2:13.40). Junior Ava Severino added a fourth-place finish in the 3,000-meter steeplechase (10:58.11), and sophomore Anya Kazemi closed out the distance events with an eighth-place result in the 5,000-meter (17:40.51).
The team will divide its roster again this weekend, sending athletes to either the Rutgers Relays or the Bison Outdoor Classic at Bucknell University.
“I know I, as well as the rest of the team, am in really good shape,” Parsons said. “I’m excited to see the success the team is able to accomplish.”