UTICA, NY - Utica University's men's track and field team began its season today with the Utica Holiday Classic. The Pioneers won several events, setting many personal bests along the way. The team will now wait until mid-January to return to action, when they host the Utica Winter Opener.
The Pioneer's strong day began with three strong finishes in the 600-meter run.
Tanner Warren (Mohawk, NY/Central Valley Academy) won the event with a 1:23.05, followed closely by
Nolan Flynn's (Bethel, CT/Bethel) third-overall 1:24.29.
Cameron Hoffis (Queensbury, NY/Lake George) was the third Pioneer across the finish line, and sixth overall, after 1:27.86.
Utica's next top placement came in the mile race, with
Forest Martin's (Poland, NY/Poland Central) 4:28.15 leading the pack. Martin's time ranks 7th all-time for the program.
Bennett Melita (Johnstown, NY/Fonda-Fultonville) continued his incredible fall semester by winning the very next event, the 3000-meter. Melita posted an 8:48.27 finish time.
The home squad's lone victory in the jumping events came in the high jump. Sophomore
Kaiden McCaskill (Rome, NY/Rome Free Academy) took the event by completing a 1.97m attempt.
The Pioneers turned in two strong outings in the weight throw, but could not secure first place in the event. Utica and SUNY Cortland battled at the top of the standings, as the two teams combined for 10 of the top 13 spots, and all of the top seven. The Red Dragons' Isaiah Brunache took the event with an 18.05m throw.
Spencer Borghardt (Smithtown, NY/St.Anthony's) (2nd - 17.65m) and
Blake Gannon (Schenectady, NY/Mohonasen) (4th - 16.52) sat atop Utica's leaderboard with throws that now land second and fourth-best all time.
The squad will now look ahead to their next event, the Utica Winter Opener. The event will be hosted on January 16th, 2026, at Utica's Todd and Jen Hutton Sports and Recreation Center. Action is set to begin at 4:00 pm.
