Bison Classic
Szulska Leads Bulls In Record-Setting Weekend At Bucknell
4/15/2024 10:16:00 AM | Track and Field
LEWISBURG, Penn. – The University at Buffalo Track & Field team competed in the Bison Outdoor Classic throughout the weekend on the University of Bucknell campus. The Bulls set several top times in the school's all-time outdoor record book, with Aleksandra Szulska setting a school record for Buffalo on Saturday.
After joining the top outdoor ranks in the women's 5,000 meter just a few weeks ago, Szulska rose to the top as a freshman, setting a new school outdoor record with a time of 16:34.52. The freshman broke the previous outdoor school record by almost ten seconds, set in 2016 by Amy Shaw (16:43.93). Szulska's time placed fourth in a field of 65 competitors. Anna Recktenwalt also ran a personal best time in the event (17:38.52).
Evan Hilbert continued the momentum for the Bulls on Saturday, winning the men's 1,500 meter with a time 3:44.91. Hibert's time was just two seconds shy of his outdoor school record. Ryan Buzby posted a new personal best time, finishing in 3:48.96 to place 10th of 95. Buzby's new personal record ranks fourth in UB outdoor history.
On Sunday, Tal Hamel won the men's 200 meter with a new personal best time of 21.09. Hamel's time is now tied for the second fastest 200 meter in outdoor school history, with Ryan Billian (2015) and Brian Smith (2010). The junior's time ranks second in the Mid-American Conference.
Matt Gensel was the final Buffalo runner to join the school's all-time ranks, completing the men's 10,000 meter in 30:10.96. The sophomore's new personal best ranks seventh all-time in UB outdoor history and third in the MAC. Gensel placed 20th of the 46 runners in the event.
Benussi won the women's heptathlon with a score of 4,834, finishing first in the 100 meter hurdles (14.62), shot put (11.85m) and javelin throw (37.84m). Angela Forster earned another podium finish for Buffalo in the event, placing second to Benussi with a score of 4,758. Forster's new personal best in the heptathlon ranks ninth in UB outdoor history.
Jenna Reid had a new personal best mark in the javelin throw, placing seventh in the event (42.94m). Reids' throw ranks fifth all-time in outdoor history and first among the conference.
Freshman Manuel Sepulveda set a new outdoor best in the triple jump with a mark of 14.86 meters, placing third in the event. Sepulveda's time also ranks third in the MAC and seventh all-time in school outdoor history.
The Bulls had several more personal best times throughout the weekend at one of the northeast's premiere meets of the weekend.
Noah Brightman (26th, 1:53.08) and Johann Matzal (28th, 1:53.23) both finished inside the top 30 of the men's 800 meter run at the Bison Outdoor classic, in a field of 157 student-athletes. Both times were a season best. Gabe Watson (31st, 1:53.60), Buzby (42nd, 1:54.19) and Fernando Sanchez (1:54.36) also competed for the Bulls. Watson was two tenths of a second shy of his team-leading season-best time, as Sanchez ran a season-best time and Buzby made his outdoor 800 meter debut.
Vassi Klock placed third in the women's 3000 meter steeplechase with a time of 10:59.70. 41 student-athletes competed in the event. Klock's time was the fastest in the event by a Bulls' female runner this outdoor season.
William Marchant finished 18th of 67 competitors in the men's 3000 meter steeplechase with a time of 9:25.38, the second-fastest time in the event this season by a Buffalo runner.
Cory Demo (29th, 4:02.59) and Danzil Monk (43rd, 4:06.02) finished inside the top 50 runners in the men's 1,500 meter. 93 runners competed in the event.
Allison Newton (9th, 4:47.45) and Reese Wilber (12th, 4:48.51) both placed inside the top 12 runners in a field of 113 competitors in the women's 1,500 meter. Newton's time was the fastest by a Buffalo female in the event this season.
On Sunday, Newton finished 28 of 137 competitors, finishing the 800 meter run in 2:14.05 at the Bison Outdoor Classic. The junior's time was a season-best, ranking third among UB runners. Johanna Kleiner placed 52nd (2:16.10).
Stephney Pryce finished 32nd of 93 athletes in the women's 400 meter with a season-best time of 58.51. Pryce's time is the fastest among Buffalo women in the 400 meter this season.
The Bulls had strong performances in the hurdle events. Michael Parks placed third of 42 competitors in the men's 110 meter hurdles, finishing in 14.73. Gemma Galligani placed 13th of 61 with a new personal best time of 14.74. Galligani later ran a personal best in the 400 meter hurdles (1:04.61), a time that ranks ninth in the MAC.
The Bulls continued to shine in throwing events too. Jonathan Surdej placed third in the men's shot put field of 43 athletes at the Bison Outdoor Classic with a throw of 17.27 meters. Bradley Johnson also posted a personal best performance (14.76m). Quinn Smith (9th, 50.20m) and William Trembley (13th, 47.11m) both placed inside the top 15 in the men's discus throw in a field of 44 student-athletes, with season-best marks. Bernice Balk placed 12th in the women's shot put with a mark of 12.58 meters.
Kara Moran set a new outdoor personal best in the women's triple jump with a mark of 11.56 meters.
Kevin Gabalski finished third in the men's decathlon with a score of 6,311. Noah Ruffer (7th, 5,718) and Brady Hughes (9th, 5,538) also competed for Buffalo.
All results from the weekend can be accessed here.
The Bulls will host the UB Alumni Invitational next Saturday, April 20th at UB Stadium. All details regarding the home meet can be found here.
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").
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