PSU National
Buzby Breaks Two School Records At Penn State National Open
1/28/2024 12:32:00 PM | Track and Field
STATE COLLEGE, PENN. – Members of the University at Buffalo track and field team competed in the Penn State National Open on Friday and Saturday, a weekend full of excitement and accomplishments for the Bulls. Ryan Buzby highlighted an impressive team performance, breaking two school records over the weekend, with multiple runners setting personal bests and moving up the program's all-time leaderboards.
In one of the northeast's premiere competitions, Buzby started Friday by setting a new school record in the men's mile, with a time of 4:05.23, breaking teammate Evan Hilbert's record of 4:05.78 set just last year. Then on Saturday, Buzby completed the 3000 meter event in 8:08.26, setting another new school record. The fifth-year ranks second in the Mid-American Conference in the mile and first in the conference in the 3000m with his record-setting performances.
"Ryan's historic weekend in the mile and 3000 meter set a new standard for the program," said Head Coach Vicki Mitchell.
Buzby was not the only member of the men's team to shine this weekend, with five other Bulls setting new personal bests, climbing the program's leaderboards. After setting a new school record himself just last week, Tal Hamel joined the program's record books for the 200 meter dash, with his personal best time of 21.77 ranking tenth in program history. Hamel's time ranks fifth across the MAC this season.
Johann Matzal completed the 1000 meter run in 2:26.58, ranking fourth in program history, as Fernando Sanchez finished the 600 meter run with a time of 1:20.80, also ranking fourth all-time for the event. Alex Hislop and Luke Stoeffler joined climbed the all-time leaderboards in the men's 5000m, with Hislop now ranking fifth (14:26.62) and Stoeffler taking ninth (14:38.45). The two join Buzby atop the MAC leaderboards, with the Bulls have all three of the top times in the conference so far this season.
Corey Demo (8:24.44) and William Marchant (8:26.67) also set personal records in the 3000 meter, with Brian Murphy (pole vault, 4.60m), Caleb Nickens (weight throw, 19.61m) and Calvin Finger (high jump, 1.98m) setting season bests.
On the women's side, Zahra Amos tied her personal best high jump of 1.73m, set just last week. Uma Bhattacharjee broke her previous personal record in the 60 meter dash, finishing this weekend's competition with a time of 7.95, as Amber McDonald also set a personal best (7.97). Julia Singh had a personal best in the 600 meter run, with a time of 1:38.35. Season bests were set by Juliette Salazar and Johanna Kleiner (800m, 2:17.82), Stephney Pryce (400m, 59.67), and Vassi Klock (Mile, 5:06.36).
"We had several positive steps forward this weekend, but also a few minor setbacks," said Mitchell. "With less than four weeks to the MAC Championships, the focus remains on improving our level of competition, staying healthy, and being prepared to compete against the best in the conference."
UP NEXT
The Bulls are back in action next Friday, February 2nd, competing in the Akron Invitational.
For more coverage of Buffalo men's and women's track & field, follow the program on X (@UB_XCTF), Instagram (@BullsTFXC) and Facebook ("Buffalo Track & Cross Country").
Players Mentioned
