UTICA, NY - The Utica University men's outdoor track and field team is set for its final tune up before the Regional Championships, the Farley Inter Regional, hosted by Williams College on Friday, May 9, and Saturday, May 10 in Williamstown, MA.
Follow Along: Live video of the meet can be found
here.
Meet Schedule: Friday's events will begin with the men's decathlon 100m, long jump, shot put, high jump, and 400m, followed by the javelin. Saturday's events will begin with the hammer throw in the morning, with track events beginning with the 100m hurdles qualifying are slated to start at noon.
Last Week's Recap: The Pioneers collected a trio of championship finishes at the Empire 8 Championships last weekend in
Ellis Urgent (Cornwall, NY/Cornwall Central) in the long jump,
Louis Pinto (Clinton, NY/Clinton) in the high jump, and
Hunter Logan (Fort Plain, NY/Herkimer College) in the shot put. Urgent collected the top prize after a 7.24m jump that set a new school record in the event and ranks him 15th nationally. Pinto took home first place in the high jump after clearing 1.96m, a mark that qualifies him for the AARTFC Regional Championship next weekend. Logan collected his fourth consecutive Empire 8 Outdoor Track and Field shot put title after a 15.79m throw on his third attempt.
Undisputed: Hunter Loam has forever etched himself into the Utica University history books after his outing last weekend. With his title win, Logan has now become the most decorated individual athlete in Pioneer history. Logan has completed the career sweep in the shot put, collecting eight consecutive Empire 8 shot put titles between both the indoor and outdoor seasons, as well as being a two-time Regional Champion and a two-time All-American. Logan will look to continue his tear as he heads into the remainder of the postseason.
Record Breaker: Bennett Melita (Johnstown, NY/Fonda Fultonville) continued his dominance in distance events, setting a new school record in the 5000m with a time of 14:36.45.
Regionals Ready: With the AARTFC Regional Championship on the docket for next weekend, the Pioneer squad is taking shape. Melita headlines the Pioneers after qualifying in three events, the 1500m, 5000m, and the 3000m steeplechase.
Andy Hadasz (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro),
Tanner Warren (Mohawk, NY/Central Valley Academy),
Nolan Flynn (Bethel, CT/Bethel) and Urgent are also multi-event qualifiers with Hadasz slated to compete in the 200m and as a member of the 4x100m relay team. Warren is slated to compete in the 400m, as well as a member of the 4x100m team with Hadasz,
Chris Ganley (Pine Bush, NY/Pine Bush), and Flynn. Urgent is slated to compete in the long jump, as well as being a member of the 4x400m relay team alongside Flynn,
Evan Smith (Baldwinsville, NY/Baker) and
Tristan Vargo (East Aurora, NY/Orchard Park). The Pioneers throwing squad has made some noise as well, with three slated to compete in the hammer throw in
Spencer Borghardt (Melville, NY/St.Anthony's),
Joshua Talbot (Rome, NY/Rome Free Academy), and
Blake Gannon (Schenectady, NY/Mohonasen), while Logan has qualified in the shot put.
Theodore Tsamis (Richmondville, NY/Cobleskill-Richmondville) has also qualified in the men's decathlon.
Up Next: The Pioneers will return to Williamstown, MA for the AARTFC Regional Championship next week on May 14th and 15th.
