WILLIAMSTOWN, MA - After a stellar weekend at the Empire 8 Outdoor Championships, the Pioneers were back to work, seeking a few last-second qualifications ahead of the AARTFC Outdoor Track and Field Championships. The meet that bridged the gap between those two championship events was the annual FIRE meet hosted by Williams College, at which a few Pioneers had solid outings, most notably Bennett Melita (Johnstown, NY/Fonda-Fultonville), who took home first place in the 3000m Steeplechase with a time of 9:08.90.
 
Melita was the Pioneers' only top finisher in the event, as he dominated the competition to grab gold with his aforementioned time. Melita qualified for the AARTFC-version of the 3000m Steeplechase earlier in the season, and currently has a solid chance of reaching the NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championships for the first time, as his top mark in the event currently ranks 16th in all of Division III. Melita ran a 9:03.22 at the Bison Outdoor Classic back in April. The top 22 competitors in each event will qualify for the Division III Outdoor National Championships.
 
Here is a look at all of the Pioneers who competed this past weekend at the FIRE event.
 
Abbie Knaisch (Addison, NY/Addison) - Hammer Throw - 22nd of 25 - 32.34m
Allie Cary (Liverpool, NY/Liverpool) - Discus - 3rd of 29 - 41.46m
Arianna McClendon (Rome, NY/New York Mills) - 400m - 5th of 21 - 57.29
Bella Frick - 100m Hurdles - 12th of 20 - 16.20
Bennett Melita (Johnstown, NY/Fonda-Fultonville) - 3000m Steeplechase - 1st of 23 - 9:08.90
Cameron Hoffis (Queensbury, NY/Lake George) - 400m - 22nd of 24 - 52.13
Catherine Manna (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro) - 1500m - 26th of 40 - 4:58.95
Edward Haeffer - Discus - 27th of 31 - 36.12m
Forest Martin (Poland, NY/Poland Central) - 800m - 30th of 73 - 1:56.44
Hailey Hrouda (Wappingers Falls, NY/Roy C. Ketcham) - Hammer Throw - 16th of 25 - 42.47m
Killian Bauer (Verona, NY/Vernon-Verona-Sherill) - 1500m - 34th of 55 - 4:04.94
Lacey Simmons (Vernon Center, NY/Vernon-Verona-Sherrill) - 800m - 25th of 36 - 2:24.03
MarLie Macek (Kensington, NH/Exeter) - Javelin - 17th of 20 - 29.86m
Marlo Townsend (Rome, NY/Rome Free Academy) - 1500m - 14th of 40 - 4:47.51
Nate Powers - Pole Vault - 16th of 19 - 3.97m
Nikos Johnson (Rotterdam, NY/Schalmont) - Discus - 24th of 31 - 37.03m
Riley Smith (Westmoreland, NY/Westmoreland Central) - 400m Hurdles - 14th of 18 - 57.93
Spencer Borghardt (Smithtown, NY/St.Anthony's) - Hammer Throw - 2nd of 30 - 54.53m
Timothy Jeralds (Canaan, NY/Chatham Central) - 3000m Steeplechase - 20th of 23 - 10:21.69
Tobias Jeralds (Canaan, NY/Chatham Central) - 1500m - 42nd of 55 - 4:08.51
 
Highlights:
 
Allie Cary (Liverpool, NY/Liverpool) and Spencer Borghardt (Smithtown, NY/St.Anthony's) continued to place well in their respective throwing events.
 
Cary, who looks to notch her first-ever appearance at the Division III Outdoor National Championships, tossed yet another solid outing, grabbing third place in the Discus with a distance of 41.46m. Cary's best toss of the season is still the one that occurred back in mid-May at the SUNY Cortland Classic, as her program record throw of 46.59m still sits #10 in all of Division III. Cary has the chance to be a multi-event competitor as well, as she also had a solid shot put down at the SUNY Cortland Classic, with her throw of 13.91m ranking seventh.
 
Borghardt was just a short distance away from taking first place in a stacked hammer throw which featured 29 other competitors. His mark of 54.53m fell just short, as he settled for the silver. The senior strongman currently has an outside shot to reach the National Championships, as his current top throw - 56.41m - ranks #34 in all of Division III. Borghardt will have to bolster his strength if he has a shot to make the Championships. His last chance for qualification will come later today, as he competes in the hammer throw at the AARTFC Regional Championships.
 
Arianna McClendon (Rome, NY/New York Mills) did well in the 400m, running a time of 57.29 to place fifth in the race.
 
Up Next: The Pioneers will take on the AARTFC Outdoor Track and Field Championships TODAY as they go in search of some regional glory, and potential backdoor qualifiers for the Division III National Championships. Follow along with live results here: https://results.leonetiming.com/?mid=8966&en=11-1, or stream the Championships at this link: https://www.centennialconference.tv/ursinuscollege/?B=4014327