Track & Field Have Great Showing to Begin Outdoor Season

Thursday, March 24

Raleigh, NC

TBA

North Carolina State University - Raleigh Relays

Track & Field Have Great Showing to Begin Outdoor Season

3/26/2022 7:33:00 PM | Track and Field

RALEIGH, N.C. – The University at Buffalo track and field team wrapped up their busy weekend at the Raleigh Relays on Saturday evening. The three-day meet featured over 150 teams across the U.S.

THURSDAY RECAP
The meet started with the women's shot put after a two-and-a-half-hour thunderstorm delay. Despite the on-and-off heavy rains, both Molly McCreedy (12^th place, 48'-09.00) and Rachel Donner (19^th place, outdoor personal best mark of 46'-02.50") transitioned well to the outdoor implement. For the men, Jonathan Surdej placed seventh of 45 competitors with his throw of 57'-00.25". Scilla Benussi placed 21^st of 39 in the women's javelin, and just off her personal best.

On the track, the men's distance events were featured. Evan Hilbert won his heat of the 1,500-meter run in a personal best time of 3:53.12, with a blistering kick over the last 150-meters to come from nearly last place to take the win, taking over two-seconds off his previous best time. Cal Puskar, running his first outdoor meet since 2019, ran a big personal best mark improving his time from his freshman year by 26-seconds with his 3:53.42, good for ninth place in his competitive heat of 15 men. Early evening, as the rain started to taper off, the men's 5,000-meter run races started. Alex Hislop ran sub-15:00 in his debut 5,000-meter run running 14:55.88. Ryan Buzby lowered his personal best time to 14:30.06, taking over two-seconds off. His time holds him at seventh on the UB All-Time Top-10 list.

FRIDAY RECAP
On day two, sunny skies prevail throughout the day. Riley Jones started the day in the women's 5,000-meter run, running a 30-second personal best time and winning her heat with a blazing last 400-meters of 70.73-seconds for a time of 17:01.32. She is now seventh on the UB all-time top-10 list. Sophomore transfer Zaria Fuller, in her first outdoor season since her high school senior year in 2019, ran a collegiate best 14.44-seconds winning her heat of the 100-meter hurdles. Chineme Ononiwu ran a very strong opening 110-meter hurdles in a time of 14.86-seconds, placing fourth in his heat. Antoinette Miller ran an outstanding 100-meter race, dropping a half-second off her previous best running 12.07-seconds winning her heat. Freshman Jermaine Ewers ran a personal best time of 10.71-seconds, placing third in his heat and placing 27^th of 69 overall. Closing out the day on the track was senior Scott LoForte, who ran a very tough 10,000-meters in 30:01.07, just a few seconds off his lifetime personal best.

The drier weather conditions helped with the field events. With just four days of outdoor practice with the discus this season, Molly McCreedy had a strong discus opening competition placing 12^th of 45 in a throw of 149'-0". Quinn Smith was just off his personal best placing 26^th of 40 in 153'-11". Brandon Burke opened his outdoor season with a win, clearing 7"-06.00" on his first attempt to beat out Shaun Miller of Ohio State. In the women's high jump, Zaria Fuller set an outdoor personal best of 5'-07.00", placing sixth of 33 competitors. In the Women's triple jump, all three UB competitors – Kaylah Britt, Emily Tait, and Christina Wende had strong outdoor opening marks having put in a lot of technical work over the last two weeks.

SATURDAY RECAP
The final day of competition was dry and sunny with gusty winds. The field events started the day with the men's hammer throw. Caleb Nickens placed 10^th in 196'-2" in the 48-man field, throwing just shy of his personal best mark. MAC competitor Jake Hickey (Kent State) placed seventh in 203'-7". Asia Hoyte had a personal best in the hammer throw of 173'-7", placing 17^th of 52 competitors. Christina Wende did double duty competing in the women's long jump (18-00.25) and anchoring the women's 4 x 400m. In the 4 x 100-meter relay the UB squad of Travasia Singletary, Antoinette Miller, Greta Rastelli, and Christina Wende ran to an eighth place finish of the 18 teams in 47.91 beating Bowling Green and Kent State. Closing out the day for the Bulls was transfer sophomore Johann Matzal in the 800-meter run. In the gusty winds, Matzal ran to an outdoor collegiate best of 1:54.36, placing eighth in his heat.

"Overall, this was a very strong start to the outdoor season," stated Head Coach Vicki Mitchell. "We've had very limited opportunities to train outdoors and prepare for the different events. Starting the first meet with several personal bests throughout the three-days is a sign that we are moving forward. Having several MAC schools at the meet was very helpful in getting an early idea of competition. I am very excited to see both our men and women continue to train with tenacity and perseverance, and take advantage of every competition opportunity to learn, grown, and improve as we prepare for the MAC Championships in six weeks."

Click here for the results.

UP NEXT
The Bulls will travel to Williamsburg, Va. for the Colonial Relays hosted by William and Mary. Some Bulls will also travel to SUNY Geneseo for the Geneseo Early Season Invite.