UTICA, NY - Saturday was a historic day for the Utica University track and field programs. A dozen years after the current program's first outdoor competition, the Pioneers hosted an outdoor meet for the first time ever in the Utica Spring Invitational at the Pioneer Turf and Track and Field Complex.
The Utica men won the team competition with 228 points, while the Utica women were third with 132 points.
Hunter Logan (Fort Plain, NY/Herkimer College) topped the men's shot put at 15.58 meters, with Arthur Bittel (Liverpool, NY/Liverpool) placing third with his best throw of the outdoor season. Jane Fahy recorded the win in the women's shot put at 12.04 meters.
Logan was second in the men's discus with a personal best of 40.10 meters. Nathan Florian was third at 39.85 meters. Fahy had a personal best in the women's competition of 34.85 meters to pick up the win.
In the women's hammer throw, Skyler Whorf (39.44 meters) and Gabrielle DeSanctis (38.90 meters) were fourth and fifth.
Zuriel Wright (Parlin, NJ/Sayreville War Memorial) had a sharp outdoor season debut in the men's high jump as he soared over a two meter clearance to take the win.
Ka'Sean Watlington (Bayport, NY/Bayport-Bluepoint) won the men's triple jump as he flew to a 14.25 meter distance on his second attempt. Jacob Pishkula (Clifton Park, NY/Shenedehowa) was fourth in 12.53 meters. In the women's event, Nora Devitt was third at 9.90 meters, with Gianna Cognetti placing fourth.
In the long jump, a pair of second place finishes were in order. In her first outdoor long jump competition of the season, Laura Meade was second at a mark of 5.05 meters. Ka'Sean Watlington (Bayport, NY/Bayport-Bluepoint) was second in the men's event at 6.52 meters.
Andrew Wieder (Clinton, NY/Clinton) led Utica in the pole vault with a fifth place finish in 3.50 meters, with Brady Szekeres (Accord, NY/Rondout Valley) placing sixth. Holly Cifonelli was fourth in the women's competition at a two meter clearance.
On the track, The women's 100 hurdles was a highlight. Sophie Henderson and Laura Meade combined for a 1-2 finish, with Henderson's personal best time of 16.09 seconds leading a strong debut time by Meade of 16.58 seconds in that event. Brady Szekeres (Accord, NY/Rondout Valley) (16.94) and Chase Pecoraro (Medina, NY/Medina) (17.20) were third and fourth in the men's 110 meter competition.
In the 100 meters, Ayjah Clarke was third at a time of 13.29 seconds, while Elizabeth Glomski made the women's final and placed sixth at a time of 13.46 seconds. The men's 100 meters featured a second place finish by Josh Washington in 11.18 seconds, with Michael Campbell was fifth in 11.28 seconds, and Zuriel Wright (Parlin, NJ/Sayreville War Memorial) was seventh in 11.36 seconds.
In the 200 meters, Zuriel Wright (Parlin, NJ/Sayreville War Memorial) was third for men's competition with a clocking of 23.61 seconds, with Josh Washington placing fifth in a time of 24 seconds.
At 800 meters, Janaiya Cruz-Bermudez was fourth in women's competition with a time of 2:30.22 for a new personal best time. Hayden Lohmann (West Winfield, NY/Mount Markham) ran a time of 2:06 for a fifth place finish.
Andrew Weider won the men's 400 hurdles with a time of 1:02.62. That time is a new personal best.
A pair of runner-up finishes in the Steeplechase showcased Utica's top distance talent. Rookie Jade Dening ran one of the fastest women's steeplechase times in program history with an AARTFC qualifying time of 12:06.76 in her college steeplechase debut. Michael Roberts (Remsen, NY/Remsen) was the runner-up in the men's event in 10:26.2.
Utica will compete at Westfield State on Saturday, April 16th.
