UTICA, NY - The Utica University men's indoor track and field team hosted the Fast Trax Invite on Saturday, February 3, and had great performances across the board. The men's team placed second overall out of 19 schools with 126 points and won four individual events.
 
Two of those wins came in the sprinting events, won by familiar faces. In his first 400m of the year, Andy Hadasz (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro) won with a time of 50.06. Not only does that qualify Hadasz for regionals, but he also now leads the Empire 8 Conference in that event. 
 
In the 300m, freshman Tanner Warren (Mohawk, NY/Central Valley Academy) took first place running 36.15, putting him at third all-time in program history at that distance. Warren also ran a personal best 23.13 in the 200m, placing fourth. Jonathan Simmons (Broadalbin, NY/Broadalbin-Perth) placed fourth in the 300m with a time of 37.22, putting him seventh all-time. 
 
For the fourth time this season, Hunter Logan (Fort Plain, NY/Herkimer College) took first place in the shot put, throwing 16.03m, his second-best mark this indoor season. Also in shot put, Justin Swavely (Rome, NY/RFA) took fourth, (13.99m), and Billie Mays III (Rome, NY/Rome Free Academy) was fifth (13.76m). 
 
In the weight throw, the Pioneers went across the board one-two-three. Antwan Kelly (Liverpool, NY/Liverpool) was first (17.66m), Swavely was second (15.71m), and Spencer Borghardt (Melville, NY/St.Anthony's) was third (15.63m). Swavley tied his personal best, and a huge personal best for Borghardt. 
 
In the high jump, and making his collegiate debut, Louis Pinto (Clinton, NY/Clinton) jumped 1.87m to take the win while putting himself third in the conference standings. Meanwhile in long jump, Connor Dean (Taberg, Ny/Camden) placed second with a leap of 6.45m. This is a personal best for the freshman Dean while he also ran a 23.18 in his first 200m, placing sixth. 
 
For the 3000m, freshman Bennett Melita (Johnstown, NY/Fonda Fultonville) took second place with a personal best time of 8:57.47, also putting him fourth all-time in program history for that distance. 
 
Also in the sprints, Shane Tinney (Oriskany, NY/Oriskany) ran a personal best in the 60m, running a 7.24 and qualified for finals to place eighth overall. Tinney also placed eighth in his first collegiate 300m with a time of 38.11.
 
The men's distance medley relay team of Hayden Lohmann (West Winfield, NY/Mount Markham), Tristan Vargo (East Aurora, NY/Orchard Park), Tobias Jeralds (Chatham, NY/Chatham), and Zachary Brown (Milford, NY/Milford Central) clocked in at 11:15.27 to place second.  
 
For those selected, the Pioneers will travel to Boston for the Boston University Valentine Invitational on Saturday, February 10 beginning at 9am. All other competitors will remain home to compete at the CNY Valentine Alternative also on Saturday, February 10 with a start time yet to be determined.