Charleston, W.Va. - The Golden Eagles traveled to Huntington, West Virginia to race at nearby Marshall University to kick off their 2023 season this past Saturday. The team showed its strengths with a very successful start to the season.
Saturday highlights (Men):
● In the 60, Roberto Agrizzi took first with a time of 7.04. The sophomore's speed was a crucial part of Saturday's success.
● In the 200m, the Golden Eagles swept the top five places of the event with Roberto Agrizzi in first with a time of 22.2, Colin Hunkele behind him with a time of 22.46, Tim Gutzeit in third with 22.8, Karlo Bogdan with 22.99 in fourth, and Antonio Sneed rounding out the top five with a time of 23.26.
● Colin Hunkle wasn't done yet. In the 400m, he placed first with an impressive time of 49.52. Michael Garrett came in second with 51.16, and Damian Smith scored for the eagles placing fifth with a time of 52.65.
● In the mile, Ashton Weaver placed fourth in the mile with a time of 4.35.47.
● Roberto Agrizzi is also quick in hurdles. He took first in the 60m hurdles with a first place time of 8.46, and his teammate James Shamblin was behind in to place third with a time of 9.13
● Michael Garrett started off the season strong in the high jump with a second-place finish of 1.79 meters.
● To round out the success of the men's weekend, Mathias Mees placed first in the long jump with a length of 6.62 meters, and his teammate Blake Shelton showed his skill by placing fourth with a distance of 4.55 meters.
Saturday highlights (Women):
● Aaliyah Sheffield placed 10th with a time of 27.11to kickstart her 2023 season
● In the 400m, Balie Destefano placed 8th with a time of 1:03.43 and her teammate Sage McLaughlin was right behind her scoring a time of 1:08.67
● To kickstart our distance of the season, Nadia Calore placed 15th in the 800m run with a time of 2:40.57, and teammate Morgan Turner was right behind her placing 16th with a time of 2:41.91.
● In the 60m, Miriam Dreher placed eighth (9.64), Balie Destefano in 10th (9.81), and Rayana Bradshaw in 15th (10.17)
● Balie Destefano wasn't done there though. She placed 7th in the high jump with a score of 1.54 meters.
● Laura Delgado placed fourth in the long jump with an impressive score of 5.27 meters
● For the triple jump, Miriam Dreher has an impressive score of 10.99 meters to place 3rd on the day, and Kayla Lemkus showed up with a distance of 9.77 meters to place 6th on the day.
● Abby McKinney threw well for the debut weekend in the shot put with a distance of 10.38 meters, placing 11th, and Zowie Manuma was right there too, placing 11th with a distance of 10.33 meters.
● To round out the ladies' weekend, Abby McKinney placed 9th in the weight throw with a distance of 12.70 meters, and Zowie Manuma placed 11th, scoring a distance of 12.12 meters.
It was a weekend of success for the Golden Eagles and there were two particular athletes who are in contending for MEC Athlete of the week nominations:
For the Men: Roberto Agrizzi: Rob won 3 events, 60m, 60m Hurdles, and 200m
For the Women: Balie Destefano: Balie placed top 10 in 3 events High Jump, 400m, and 60m hurdles
Up Next:
The Golden Eagles travel to Youngstown, Ohio next Saturday to race at Youngstown State University on January 20th.
