Thirty track and field programs competed this weekend on Saturday April 24 at the Lions Track Complex during the Lions Invitational, none of which were able to outshine the host.
“We had a great meet,” Coach Philip Jennings said. “The team loves to compete at home, and we faced a lot of good competition.”
Freshman Andy Gallagher posted an impressive time of 4:00.74 in the 1500-meter event earning second place, only to be bested by his own teammate. Junior Dennie Waite beat his underclassman counterpart by less than one second, breaking the tape at 3:59.75.
“Dennie wasn’t happy with his time,” Jennings said. “But, he really wasn’t going for a great time, so much as it was a case of a junior hanging back and pushing a freshman to a better time. It wasn’t really a competitive thing, it was a junior helping a freshman.”
Junior Kyle Gilroy clocked in at 53.61 in the 400-meter hurdle race. Gilroy’s time not only gave him the victory, but, set a personal record and earned the junior a national qualifying time. Gilroy also placed second in the 110-meter hurdle event, crossing the finish line at 14.97.
“Kyle was hurt last year (hamstring injury),” Jennings said. “And he’s really had a good comeback season.”
Gilroy has progressed throughout this season and has improved his hurdling with every event.
“Kyle is one of our better athletes,” Jennings said. “The 400-meter hurdles event is a rhythm event. Kyle is going to continue to get stronger, faster, and more durable allowing him to stay in rhythm longer as time goes on.”
Freshman Steve D’Aiutolo competed in the triple jump event recording a distance of 13.88 meters. His second place finish broke the school record, which was set by himself earlier this season, and was an Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) qualifying performance. When D’Auitolo broke the record earlier this year, he shattered a 45-year old mark set back in 1965. It was the longest standing track and field record the College.
Sophomore Emma Tucci competed in the women’s long jump and posted the longest leap at 5.44 meters, earning a spot in the National Championship Event.
Junior Brianna Brennan recorded a distance of 39.82 meters in the javelin toss. Brennan’s performance earned her a spot in the National Championship event along with her teammate Tucci.
The track and field program will take to the field again on May 1, down the road a bit when Princeton University hosts its own Princeton Elite event.
