Friday, February 5
Akron, OH
All Day
at
17th Annual Akron Invitational
Bulls Head Back to Akron for the Biggest Test of the Season
2/4/2021 11:19:00β―AM | Track and Field
BUFFALO, N.Y. β The University at Buffalo track and field teams will travel back to Akron, Ohio as they will participate in the 17th Annual Akron Invitational. The two-day meet is set to begin at 5 p.m. at the Stile Athletics Field House on Friday, Feb. 5 and run through Saturday. There will be a herd of Bulls traveling down the I-90 as this will be the largest group that'll travel thus far in the season.
Β
BULLS ON PARADE
The Bulls have been off since Jan. 22 where they last competed at the Akron Tri-Meet. During the two-day invite, the Bulls will face off against Akron, Kent State, Miami (OH), Western Michigan and Texas State. Facing four MAC opponents is the most that UB will face up to this point in the season.
Β
"We head into the two-day meet with several more student-athletes competing in their first competition of the season," stated Head Coach Vicki Mitchell. "With the challenges navigating through the COVID pandemic, we are excited to have our largest squad of the season competing. Our Athletic Training Staff has been exceptional! Overall, this will be highly competitive meet and a great opportunity as we continue to prepare for the MAC Championships later this month."
Β
THROWS PREVIEW
UB's tradition in the throws under Coach Garnham has made the throwing events extremely exciting to follow. The throws squad has been putting in a lot of work in the circle and in the weight room. Look for Molly McCreedy and Rachel Donner in the women's shot put. On the men's side, Jonathan Surdej and Mark Przybocki look to continue to move up the MAC performance list. Caleb Nickens has set new personal-best marks in the weight throw at each meet this season and is ready to hit another new mark. The men's weight throw is one of the most competitive and deep fields in the history of the MAC. In the women's weight throw, Asia Hoyte goes in with the top seed in the event. Donner is coming off a personal-best mark in her last competition and will be looking to move up even more. The competition will be strong in all the throwing events and even stronger at the MAC Championships.
Β
COMBINED EVENTS PREVIEW
In the women's pentathlon, freshman Scilla Benussi will be competing in her first pentathlon of the season and for the Bulls. Scilla placed second at in the pentathlon in 2020 at the Italian Track & Field Championships and with strengths in the high jump and long jump, she will be extremely competitive.Β Β Sophomore Michael Wolford will be competing in his first heptathlon of his career. Mike is an exciting young athlete and will be fun to watch over the next three years.Β
Β
JUMPS PREVIEW
There's no doubt that the men's high jump is one of the most dynamic events in the MAC. For the third time this year, Brandon Burke, the 2019 Outdoor MAC Champion, and Nakia Williams, 2020 MAC Indoor Bronze medalist, will be going up against Nuh Andu of Akron, the 2020 MAC Indoor Champion). Expect to see a competitive event and possibly a new UB program record as Burke who narrowly missed the 7'-00.50" mark (set by Chris Reap in 2014) two weeks ago when he cleared 7'00.25". For the women, both Antoinette Miller and Sam Hjelmar are ranked in the top-six heading into the meet. Hjelmar is having an exceptional season coming back from Achilles surgery last year and continues to put forward great performances each meet. The women's triple jump will feature UB school record holder Nisa Raqib, 41'00.25" set in 2020, and Kaylah Britt β both in their first competition of the season. The women's pole vault has two competitors for the Bulls. Earnie Burapan who is seeded No. 3 and Violet Drinkwater who will be in her first meet of the season.Β
Β
SPRINTS PREVIEW
The women's 60-meter dash features three Bulls that have been improving each meet in Priscilla Faa, Antoinette Miller and Travasia Singletary. All three look to advance to the 60-meter finals and also move up in the MAC rankings. Faa will be doubling back in the 200-meter dash, where she is seeded second in the event. In the 400-meter dash on Saturday, the Bulls have a full line-up of men and women competing for the first time this season. They'll also compile two competitive 4 x 400-meter runs to conclude the meet on Saturday. Katriel Perrier is seeded first in the 400-meter dash and three other Bulls are seeded into the top-six of the meet. The deep field of 21 in the men's 400-meter dash will feature fifth year senior Gyasi Morris who is seeded sixth in the event. In the 60-meter hurdles, Christina Wende will be focusing in on improving her mark. With great competition from Texas State and Kent State, Wende, Lanski, and Shapiro are staged to hit new personal bests.
Β
WOMEN'S DISTANCE PREVIEW
Friday's mile will have four UB women competing led by Junior Lily Meek with her first race of the 2021 season. Meek's 5:12.14, which is seeded fifth in the event, was set at the Akron Invite in 2020. The 3000-meter run on Saturday will feature Riley Jones who is seeded first in the event. This will be Jones' first meet of the 2021 season. Alexia Hecico is seeded sixth and is ready to go for a new personal-record in the event. In the women's 800-meter run, junior Samantha Vetter will be looking to set a new personal-best in the 800-meter run, and will have plenty of competition in the field of 20 women which is led by a strong field from Akron.
Β
MEN'S DISTANCE PREVIEW
Coach Witzleben's squad has been having a great season under challenging conditions. UB brings a very strong distance squad to Akron this weekend with expectations of strong pace setting to take advantage the fast facility at Akron, and the high fitness of our men's squad. On Friday in the 5000-meter run, the trio of William Hilbert, Scott Loforte and Armani Merlino should be in a position to challenge the school record of 14:20.01 which was set in 2017 by standout distance and academic star Barrett Kemp. In the 3000-meter run Saturday afternoon, Tommy Flannery and Benjamin Cardamone will be working together to attack the school record of 8:18.97 set in 2014 by Cameron Bruce. It should be an exciting meet for the Bulls.Β
Β
LAST TIME OUT
In the field, Caleb Nickens improved his personal-record by three-feet in the weight throw for third place. His distance of 19.32-meters (63'-04.75") now ranks fourth in UB history.
Β
In the women's weight throw, Rachel Donner improved her distance to 14.17-meters (46'-06.00") good for fourth place.
Β
Samantha Hjelmar continued her success from last week as she won the high jump with a height of 1.62-meters (5'-03.75").
Β
Both Brandon Burke (2.14-meters / 7'-00.25") and Nakia Williams, Jr. (2.10-meters / 6'-10.75") had indoor personal-bests in the men's high jump second and third, respectively. Burke moved up on the all-time list to second, just a quarter of an inch off the school record. Williams, Jr. is tied for fourth in the UB record books.
Earnie Burapan was just off her personal-record in her season opener with a strong third place finish in the pole vault with a height of 3.77-meters (12'-04.50").
Β
Benjamin Cardamone won the mile run with a time of 4:13.32. His personal-record was improved by 7 seconds, moving to seventh all-time in the mile at UB.
Β
Thomas Flannery (8:22.85) won the 3,000-meter run while Scott Loforte (8:25.38) ran a personal-best and moved to seventh all-time.
Β
STAMPEDING AT THE UB RECORD BOOKS
Through three meets in the 2021 indoor season, the Bulls continue to climb the record books as there are eight new top-10 results in UB history.
17th ANNUAL AKRON INVITATIONAL MEET COVERAGE Β
For news and updates about the UB track & field teams, follow them onΒ TwitterΒ and check the officialΒ websiteΒ of the UB Bulls.
Β
BULLS ON PARADE
The Bulls have been off since Jan. 22 where they last competed at the Akron Tri-Meet. During the two-day invite, the Bulls will face off against Akron, Kent State, Miami (OH), Western Michigan and Texas State. Facing four MAC opponents is the most that UB will face up to this point in the season.
Β
"We head into the two-day meet with several more student-athletes competing in their first competition of the season," stated Head Coach Vicki Mitchell. "With the challenges navigating through the COVID pandemic, we are excited to have our largest squad of the season competing. Our Athletic Training Staff has been exceptional! Overall, this will be highly competitive meet and a great opportunity as we continue to prepare for the MAC Championships later this month."
Β
THROWS PREVIEW
UB's tradition in the throws under Coach Garnham has made the throwing events extremely exciting to follow. The throws squad has been putting in a lot of work in the circle and in the weight room. Look for Molly McCreedy and Rachel Donner in the women's shot put. On the men's side, Jonathan Surdej and Mark Przybocki look to continue to move up the MAC performance list. Caleb Nickens has set new personal-best marks in the weight throw at each meet this season and is ready to hit another new mark. The men's weight throw is one of the most competitive and deep fields in the history of the MAC. In the women's weight throw, Asia Hoyte goes in with the top seed in the event. Donner is coming off a personal-best mark in her last competition and will be looking to move up even more. The competition will be strong in all the throwing events and even stronger at the MAC Championships.
Β
COMBINED EVENTS PREVIEW
In the women's pentathlon, freshman Scilla Benussi will be competing in her first pentathlon of the season and for the Bulls. Scilla placed second at in the pentathlon in 2020 at the Italian Track & Field Championships and with strengths in the high jump and long jump, she will be extremely competitive.Β Β Sophomore Michael Wolford will be competing in his first heptathlon of his career. Mike is an exciting young athlete and will be fun to watch over the next three years.Β
Β
JUMPS PREVIEW
There's no doubt that the men's high jump is one of the most dynamic events in the MAC. For the third time this year, Brandon Burke, the 2019 Outdoor MAC Champion, and Nakia Williams, 2020 MAC Indoor Bronze medalist, will be going up against Nuh Andu of Akron, the 2020 MAC Indoor Champion). Expect to see a competitive event and possibly a new UB program record as Burke who narrowly missed the 7'-00.50" mark (set by Chris Reap in 2014) two weeks ago when he cleared 7'00.25". For the women, both Antoinette Miller and Sam Hjelmar are ranked in the top-six heading into the meet. Hjelmar is having an exceptional season coming back from Achilles surgery last year and continues to put forward great performances each meet. The women's triple jump will feature UB school record holder Nisa Raqib, 41'00.25" set in 2020, and Kaylah Britt β both in their first competition of the season. The women's pole vault has two competitors for the Bulls. Earnie Burapan who is seeded No. 3 and Violet Drinkwater who will be in her first meet of the season.Β
Β
SPRINTS PREVIEW
The women's 60-meter dash features three Bulls that have been improving each meet in Priscilla Faa, Antoinette Miller and Travasia Singletary. All three look to advance to the 60-meter finals and also move up in the MAC rankings. Faa will be doubling back in the 200-meter dash, where she is seeded second in the event. In the 400-meter dash on Saturday, the Bulls have a full line-up of men and women competing for the first time this season. They'll also compile two competitive 4 x 400-meter runs to conclude the meet on Saturday. Katriel Perrier is seeded first in the 400-meter dash and three other Bulls are seeded into the top-six of the meet. The deep field of 21 in the men's 400-meter dash will feature fifth year senior Gyasi Morris who is seeded sixth in the event. In the 60-meter hurdles, Christina Wende will be focusing in on improving her mark. With great competition from Texas State and Kent State, Wende, Lanski, and Shapiro are staged to hit new personal bests.
Β
WOMEN'S DISTANCE PREVIEW
Friday's mile will have four UB women competing led by Junior Lily Meek with her first race of the 2021 season. Meek's 5:12.14, which is seeded fifth in the event, was set at the Akron Invite in 2020. The 3000-meter run on Saturday will feature Riley Jones who is seeded first in the event. This will be Jones' first meet of the 2021 season. Alexia Hecico is seeded sixth and is ready to go for a new personal-record in the event. In the women's 800-meter run, junior Samantha Vetter will be looking to set a new personal-best in the 800-meter run, and will have plenty of competition in the field of 20 women which is led by a strong field from Akron.
Β
MEN'S DISTANCE PREVIEW
Coach Witzleben's squad has been having a great season under challenging conditions. UB brings a very strong distance squad to Akron this weekend with expectations of strong pace setting to take advantage the fast facility at Akron, and the high fitness of our men's squad. On Friday in the 5000-meter run, the trio of William Hilbert, Scott Loforte and Armani Merlino should be in a position to challenge the school record of 14:20.01 which was set in 2017 by standout distance and academic star Barrett Kemp. In the 3000-meter run Saturday afternoon, Tommy Flannery and Benjamin Cardamone will be working together to attack the school record of 8:18.97 set in 2014 by Cameron Bruce. It should be an exciting meet for the Bulls.Β
Β
LAST TIME OUT
In the field, Caleb Nickens improved his personal-record by three-feet in the weight throw for third place. His distance of 19.32-meters (63'-04.75") now ranks fourth in UB history.
Β
In the women's weight throw, Rachel Donner improved her distance to 14.17-meters (46'-06.00") good for fourth place.
Β
Samantha Hjelmar continued her success from last week as she won the high jump with a height of 1.62-meters (5'-03.75").
Β
Both Brandon Burke (2.14-meters / 7'-00.25") and Nakia Williams, Jr. (2.10-meters / 6'-10.75") had indoor personal-bests in the men's high jump second and third, respectively. Burke moved up on the all-time list to second, just a quarter of an inch off the school record. Williams, Jr. is tied for fourth in the UB record books.
Earnie Burapan was just off her personal-record in her season opener with a strong third place finish in the pole vault with a height of 3.77-meters (12'-04.50").
Β
Benjamin Cardamone won the mile run with a time of 4:13.32. His personal-record was improved by 7 seconds, moving to seventh all-time in the mile at UB.
Β
Thomas Flannery (8:22.85) won the 3,000-meter run while Scott Loforte (8:25.38) ran a personal-best and moved to seventh all-time.
Β
STAMPEDING AT THE UB RECORD BOOKS
Through three meets in the 2021 indoor season, the Bulls continue to climb the record books as there are eight new top-10 results in UB history.
- Benjamin Cardamone β Fifth in the Men's 3,000-Meter Run β 8:21.08
- Thomas Flannery β Sixth in the Men's 3,000-Meter Run β 8:22.85
- Scott Loforte β 10th in the Men's 3,000-Meter Run β 8:25.38
- Brandon Burke β Third in the Men's High Jump β 2.12-meters (6'-11.50")
- Nakia Williams, Jr. β Tied for 4th in the Men's High Jump β 2.10-meters (6'-10.75")
- Molly McCreedy β Tied for ninth in the Women's Shot Put β 14.77-meters (48'-05.50")
- Caleb Nickens β Fourth in the Men's Weight Throw β 19.32-meters (63'-04.75")
- Earnie Burapan β 10th in the Women's Pole Vault β 3.77-meters (12'-04.50")
17th ANNUAL AKRON INVITATIONAL MEET COVERAGE Β
For news and updates about the UB track & field teams, follow them onΒ TwitterΒ and check the officialΒ websiteΒ of the UB Bulls.
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