HOUGHTON, NY – The Houghton College Track & Field teams competed at home for the first time in over a year. They hosted several Empire 8 schools (Naz, Fisher, Alfred) plus several out of conference squads (Roberts Wesleyan, Daemen, Alfred State). This was Houghton's last competition before participating in the Empire 8 Championships next weekend.
"I told the team afterwards that energy and comradery they displayed trump any training plan out there. It's not possible to do what they accomplished today without fantastic support of each other. Every time someone had a PR or great effort, a teammate was there affirming and congratulating them. Right now this team is squeezing the most out of itself because of a great culture. I'm very proud of that," said Coach Hager after the meet.
Nathaniel Zedomi led the way as he set the program record in the 200m, of 22.96. It was a hotly contested race in which he took second, to conference rival Jonah Dean, by only .01.
Dave Russo didn't let the lead back get the best of him this week. He put himself in perfect position, and unleashed a furious kick to win the mile, against two highly decorated Nazareth College runners. Overall, five Highlanders PR'd in the men's mile. Finally, on the men's side,
Brennan Lewandowski was runner up in the 400m, just getting edged at the line.
Amanda Burrichter,
Kealy DeForest, and
Hayden Williamson all thrived in their events, and set personal records. Burrichter won the mile, with relative ease, and will enter the E8 Championships as the top seed. DeForest finished 3
rd in the 60m dash, for the 3rd best E8 mark of the year, and Williamson was runner up in the High Jump, just beating a conference rival from Alfred.
The track & field squads will compete in the Empire 8 Championships next Friday and Saturday at Nazareth College. The women compete on Friday, 3/19 and the men on Saturday, 3/20.
