STATEN ISLAND, NY – Eighteen Highlander track & field athletes traveled to the Ocean Breeze Athletic Complex in Staten Island, NY for Friday's Fastrack National Invitational. The goal was simple: Set big marks for the Empire 8 seedings, regional qualifiers, personal bests, and perhaps school records.
Caleb Kasper, per usual, competed in a big way to lead the group. In the first event of the day, he broke Joe Campagna's 5,000m record from 1996. Kasper is now the only Highlander to ever run under 15:10, indoors or outdoors, for that distance. He won his heat in 15:05.73 (4:52 per mile), which is the fastest mark in the Empire 8 this year, and qualifiers him for the All-Atlantic Region Championships. In the race, Caleb started out steady, and in the middle of the pack. Throughout the race, he gradually moved by other runners, until closing in a 67.5 for the final 400m, and winning by several seconds.
Other highlights for the men were
Amos Bixler and
Zach Tucker in the 3,000m. The both ran big personal best times of 8:51.99 and 8:55.66, respectively. This puts them #4 and #5 in program history, and both seeded in the top 6 of the Empire 8.
James Eustace took nearly 2 seconds off his 800m personal best to run an all-time #8 mark of 2:00.66, which is also good for #5 in the Empire 8 this year.
Avery Belanger continued his consistency in the triple jump with a mark of 12.93m. He still ranks #1 in the Empire 8 this year. The men's Distance Medley Relay of Bixler, Ryan, Eustace, and Tucker came back later in the evening to run a 10:43.58. This time is by far the fastest mark since Houghton has been NCAA Division III.
Noelle Linenfelser had a big day in the 3,000m. She is now #2 in the Empire 8 rankings and #4 in program history in a time of 10:43.16. She would later come back in the Distance Medley Relay with a team of Clark, Lyon, and Binney to run a time of 13:19.99.
Madison Palmer and
Victoria Brewster continued their accomplished seasons by competing at a high level in their events. For Palmer, the shot put and weight throw, and for Brewster the 60m and 200m.
Tabitha Clark also had a personal best performance in the mile with a time of 5:31.88. This puts her at #11 in the Empire 8 this year, and should be in the hot heat of the championships, pending results from next week.
"There isn't a whole lot to say here. This was a business trip to come, take what we've earned in fitness, and come back home confident and ready for championship season. I'd be remised if I didn't say we had a little bit of fun, as well. We've made a trip like this for the last five years, and it's been instrumental in taking the next step for a lot of our athletes. This year was no different," remarked Coach Hager after the meet.
The Highlanders will compete in their final regular season meet of the season at Nazareth College on 2/16.
