College Track and Field
Rider at TCNJ Invite and Penn Relays

EWING / PHILADELPHIA, Pa.—The Rider University men's and women's track and field teams wrapped up an eventful weekend at the TCNJ Invite, hosted by The College of New Jersey and the Broncs also competed on the final day of the 122nd Penn Relays at historic Franklin Field.

"We had a decent meet at TCNJ," said head coach Bob Hamer.  "We got in some solid final performances before we host the conference championship next weekend." 

For the Rider men at TCNJ, sophomore Danniel Belay (Gaithersburg, Md./Gaithersburg) won the 1500 meter with a time of 3:59.53, junior Devon Jefferson (Franklin Park/Franklin) was second in the 110 meter hurdles with an IC4A qualifying mark of 14.81, sophomore Christin Patrick (East Orange/Seton Hall Prep) was third in the high jump with an IC4A qualifying height of 2.02 meters, freshman Brook Wilson (York, Pa./Central York) placed fourth in the 800 meter (1:55.27) and sophomore David Gaynor (Paterson/Passaic County Vo Tech.) was fifth in the shot put (14.69m) and 10th in the discus (43.35m).

For the Rider women at TCNJ, freshman Ashley Berry (Somerset/Franklin) was third in the shot put (12.93m), fifth in the hammer throw (44.79m) and seventh in the discus (41.41m), freshman Tierra Taylor (Browns Mills/Pemberton) was fourth in the 100 meter dash (12.66), sophomore Lexie Fraction (Sewell/Washington Twp.) was fifth in the 100 meter hurdles (14.85) and 10th in the 100 meter dash (12.88) and junior Juliann Brand (Egg Harbor/Egg Harbor Township) was fifth in the 400 meter hurdles (1:05.13).

Also for the Bronc men, freshman Dean Clarke (Melbourne, Fla./Eau Gallie) was seventh in the 110 meter hurdles (15.59), freshman Marcell Brown (Montclair) was eighth in the shot put (14.41m), freshman Alvin Abraham (Egg Harbor/Egg Harbor Township) placed eighth in the 400 meter (49.54), sophomore David Paduani (Egg Harbor/Egg Harbor Township) was 10th in the 800 meter (1:57.27) and freshman Chris Alexander (Eatontown/Christian Brothers Academy) placed 10th in the 400 meter hurdles (55.64).

Also for the Bronc women, sophomore Karoline Sandvig (West Windsor/West Windsor Plainsboro HS South) was eighth in the hammer throw (43.78m), freshman Destiny Kearney (Toms River/Toms River HS South) placed ninth in the 100 meter hurdles (15.30) and freshman Morgyn Bennett (Wilmington, Del./Delcastle Tech) was ninth in the 200 meter (26.40).

The women's 4x100 relay of Taylor, Kearney, senior Miranda Roberts (Sewell/Washington Twp.) and Bennett won with a time of 47.80, qualifying for ECACs.

The men's 4x100 relay of Abraham, sophomore Andrew Horberg (Somerset/Saint Joseph HS (Metuchen)), Clarke and senior Justin Veltri (Mays Landing/Oakcrest) was third with an IC4A qualifying time of 42.29.

At the Penn Relays for the Rider men on Saturday, the 4x800 relay of sophomore Anthony Ardino (Bloomfield), junior Johnathan Jackson (Roselle/Magnet), senior Tom McLaughlin (Egg Harbor/Egg Harbor Township) and senior Darien Edwards (South Orange/St. Benedict's) ran an IC4A qualifying time of 7:34.29, placing third.  The time is the fourth fastest mark in team history.

“The men's race was very exciting,” said Hamer.  Ardino ran a very solid leadoff leg to put us in it. He ran very well for a guy who has never been to Penn Relays. The hype and hoopla can be very intimidating but he never let it bother him.  Jackson ran a great second leg to put us up near the front.  He bounced back from a subpar performance on Friday to race very well today. Edwards ran a tremendous third leg to get us right up front.  Darien is a special talent and it shines in big moments like this. He has been a bit banged up recently but he showed us why he's one of the best today.  He doesn't let that enter his mind and he just acts like he is totally fine.  Tom ran well to keep us in it and finish off a big performance for the team.”

At Penn for the Bronc women, the 4x800 relay of senior Madeline Hummel (Marlton/Holy Cross), senior Stephanie Welte (Philadelphia, Pa./St. Basil's Academy), sophomore Victoria Brewer (Bensalem, Pa./Bensalem) and junior Megan McGarrity (Philadelphia, Pa./St. Basil's Academy) ran an ECAC qualifying time of 9:15.14, placing 15th.

“The women ran a solid race today,” Hamer said.  “We were very good through two legs and then we held on.  Maddie ran a patient leadoff leg that got us out us in real good position.  Steph ran a tremendous second leg to get us into contention.  She had a great Penn Relays.  We were able to just sneak under the ECAC qualifying mark which was the goal coming in.”

Rider hosts the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Championships May 7-8.

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