CORTLAND, NY - The Utica University men's track and field team wrapped up day two of the Cortland Classic on Saturday, April 20. The men's team won four events on the afternoon and put down great performances across the board.
The Pioneers flexed their muscles in the decathlon, taking three of the top four spots.
Andrew Wieder (Clinton, NY/Clinton) took the win with 5592 points, which is a new personal best. During his decathlon, Wieder posted personal bests in the 100m (11.64), 400m (52.59), discus throw (34.59m), and tied his personal best in pole vault (3.70m). In both of their first time competing in the decathlon,
Theodore Tsamis (Richmondville, NY/Cobleskill-Richmondville) was third (4676), and
Jeffery Forkhamer (Parish, NY/Altmar-Parish) was fourth (4538).
All-American
Hunter Logan (Fort Plain, NY/Herkimer College) won the shot put with a mark of 16.53m. This is Logan's fifth time winning the shot put event this season, and his second best performance this season. In the high jump,
Kaiden McCaskill (Rome, NY/Rome Free Academy) took the win once again, clearing 1.94m. This is McCaskill's fourth high jump win this season and his second-best jump of his career as a Pioneer.
On the track, the team had two 4x800m squads that placed one and two. The team of
Bennett Melita (Johnstown, NY/Fonda Fultonville),
Eddy Corporan (Poughkeepsie, NY/Roy C Ketcham),
Timothy Jeralds (Denver, CO/Chatam) and
Tobias Jeralds (Chatham, NY/Chatham) ran an 8:35.34 to take the win. Utica's second 4x800m squad of
Tristan Vargo (East Aurora, NY/Orchard Park),
Forest Martin (Poland, NY/Poland Central),
Hayden Lohmann (West Winfield, NY/Mount Markham) and
Anthony Leotta (Dix Hills, NY/Half Hollows Hills West) was just behind them in second place, finishing in 8:37.89. Once again,
Andy Hadasz (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro) had a dominant day in the sprinting events. Hadasz was part of the 4x100m relay team along with
Nyles Rogers (Suffern, NY/Suffern),
Ethan Kain (New Hartford, NY/New Hartford) and
Connor Dean (Taberg, Ny/Camden) who ran a 43.43 to take fourth place. Hadasz also ran a 21.87 in the 200m to finish third overall, which is his second best 200m time of his career. Dean also competed in the 400m and placed sixth with a time of 50.81, which is a new season best.
The team will now turn their focus to the RPI Capital District Classic in Rensselaer, NY on Friday, April 26. This will be Utica's last regular season meet before the Empire 8 Championships. A start time is yet to be determined.
