College Track & Field
Rider at Larry Ellis Memorial Invitational
Price (ECAC) / Gonzalez (IC4A) qualifying times highlight Day One
PRINCETON—The Rider University men's and women's track and field teams are competing this weekend at the Larry Ellis Memorial Invitational at William Weaver Stadium, hosted by Princeton University.
For the Rider women Friday evening, senior Alicia Price (Voorhees/Eastern) was second in the hammer throw with an ECAC qualifying distance of 51.50m.
For the Rider men on Friday evening, junior Christian Gonzalez (Somerset/Franklin Twp.) was ninth in the 1,500 meter (3:47.43), qualifying for IC4As.
Also for the Bronc men, senior Brandon Wolf (Lititz, Pa./Warwick) placed 12th in the hammer throw (51.89m), freshman Greg Wesh (Horsham, Pa./Hatboro-Horsham) was 16th in the 800 meter (1:53.29) and freshman Richard Verrall (Philadelphia, Pa./Archbishop Ryan) placed 24th in the hammer throw (37.46m).
“So far it has been a really good meet for us,” said head coach Bob Hamer. “Brandon (Wolf) had a big PR (personal record) and Alicia Price came in with an ECAC qualifying mark. It was a good first day.”
Also for the Bronc women, senior Jennifer Alksmant (Forked River/Lacey Township) placed 13th in the hammer throw (35.48m) and 23rd in the discus (26.40m), freshman Catherine Remaley (Lehighton, Pa./Lehighton) was 14th in the hammer throw (34.74m) and 15th in the discus (31.70m), junior Chelsea Callan (Hazlet/Raritan) placed 28th in the 3,000 meter steeplechase (11:38.56) and senior Kelsey Kohler (Southampton, Pa./Saint Basil Academy) was 51st in the 5,000 meter (18:38.89).
“Greg Wesh had a great effort with his 800 meter run,” Hamer added. “and Chris (Gonzalez) getting an IC4A mark in the 1500 meter; we had some really strong performances.”
Competition continues on Saturday.
“We have some upper class experience now that is mentally prepared for this type of high pressure meet,” Hamer said. “It takes a while for the athletes to battle through some of the frustrations and ups and downs of their performances. As strong as you are physically, you have to be just as strong mentally to handle the adversity and overcome it. We are really starting to do that and break through as a team.”
Also for the Broncs, several members of the track team ran at the Widener Invitational Friday.
For the Broncs, freshman Sean McCullough (Plymouth Meeting, Pa./La Salle) ran 16:03.92 in the 5,000 with senior Phillip Capaldi (Woxall, Pa./Souderton) running 16:13.67 in the 5,000. Senior Robert McCullough (Plymouth Meeting, Pa./La Salle) ran 32:53.00 in the 10,000.
“You have to keep going at it, trust your training, trust your coaches and know that what you are doing is the right thing to succeed and put yourself in position for success,” said Hamer. “It is exciting to see the athletes believe in themselves and get these achievements.”
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