Bulls Conclude Weekend Competitions with Success

Friday, April 28

Rochester, NY

TBA

University at Buffalo

St. John Fisher Cardinal Classic

Photo by: Paul Hokanson/UBBulls.com

Bulls Conclude Weekend Competitions with Success

4/30/2023 10:42:00 AM | Track and Field

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The University at Buffalo track and field team wrapped up the East Coast Relays on Saturday with several new personal best marks.

The men's 100-meters featured an elite field of 75 men. Jermaine Ewers set a new personal best time of 10.54, placing 34^th overall. His time ranks 3^rd in the MAC, and 6^th All-Time for UB. Personal best times were also run by Chineme Ononiwu, 10.60, 5^th in the MAC and 8^th All-Time for UB, and Jean Desir, 10.65, 8^th in the MAC. Senior Jaron Meyer was just shy of his lifetime best with a time of 10.70.

The quartet (Desir, Meyer, Ononiwu, Ewers) also set a season's best mark in the 4 x 100-meter relay running 40.63, winning their heat and placing 4^th overall in the 10-team field.
Finishing the track events for the Bulls were sophomore Tal Hamel, placing 18^th of 56 in the 400-meters in a strong time of 48.43, and senior Chineme Ononiwu, placing 9^th in the 110-meter hurdles in 10.35.

In the field events, junior Quinn Smith set a new personal best mark in the discus throw of 165'10", placing 6^th overall. His mark moves him to 4^th in the MAC and 9^th All-Time for UB. Senior Danil Chernov tossed the Javelin nearly 6' further than his previous best. His mark of 205'10" placed 4^th overall, moving him to 1^st in the MAC, just ahead of Scott Benco from Kent State, and to the 4^th All-Time top throw for UB. Alex McNulty placed 9^th in a 183'8", ranking 4^th in the MAC.

The women's squad also found success in Jacksonville. Christina Wende continued her dominating season by smashing her personal best in the 100-meter hurdles with a time of 14.06, placing 24^th of 47.

Scilla Benussi set a personal best mark of 14.74 in the 100-meter hurdles, winning her heat. Senior Travasia Singletary tied her personal best mark of 12.29 in the 100-meters. The 4 x 100-meter relay squad of Singletary, Wende, Kaylah Britt, and Zaria Fuller set a season's best of 47.18, ranking 6^th in the MAC.

In the field events, Fuller placed 3^rd in the high jump with a clearance of 5'7.25". Wende also competed in the triple jump with a best of 41'0.25" for 9^th place, and Britt jumped 38'8.25" for 17^th place. Finishing the day for the Bulls, Benussi placed 11^th in the javelin with a distance of 124'6".

The Bulls also sent a squad to the Cardinal Classic hosted by St. John Fisher College in Rochester. Junior Naya Penn set a personal best mark in the 100-meters of 12.73, and senior Kelsey Shapiro set a personal best in the 200-meters of 26.49, taking nearly 1 full second off her previous best.

Johanna Kleiner won the women's 800-meters in 2:20.95, ahead of teammate Allison Newton (3^rd) and Aubrey Cluck (5^th). Freshman Alyssa Rotondo placed 5^th of 40 women in the 1500-meters with a time of 4:56.54. Lydia Lanski went sub-15.00 in both the prelims and finals of the 100-meter hurdles, placing 5^th overall in 14.97.

The men also found success on the track. Senior Elijah Kerner advanced to finals of the 100-meters, placing 6^th overall. Sophomore Cory Demo set a personal best while winning the 1500-meter run in 3:56.11. Matt Gensel placed 2^nd in the 5000-meters in a personal best mark of 15:16.45. Combined event specialist Kevin Gabalski won the 110-meter hurdles in 15.06.

In the field events, freshman Will Trembly threw a personal best in the discus throw, placing 3^rd in 147'8". Trembly doubled back in the shot put, throwing 45'9.25" and placing 6^th overall.

"The East Coast Relays Invitational provided elite level competition for our team to get ready for the MAC Championships. The young group in Rochester gained valuable experience and saw several personal best marks that will also prove valuable in preparation," stated Head Coach Vicki Mitchell. "Our team has shown resiliency throughout the season and adjusted well to challenging weather conditions. We have work to get done and the squad is showing they are on the right path for success."

For complete East Coast Relays results, click here. For complete Cardinal Classic results, click here.

UP NEXT
The Bulls will compete at the MAC Outdoor Track and Field Championships beginning Thursday, May 11 in Akron, Ohio.