The University of Charleston Track & Field team showcased a dominant performance across three highly competitive meets this past weekend, setting multiple school and conference records while securing NCAA Provisional qualifying marks. The Golden Eagles competed at the Boston University Valentine Invitational, Grand Valley State Big Meet, and the Marshall Thundering Herd Invitational, leaving their mark in each competition.

Boston University Valentine Invitational
The Golden Eagles made a strong impression at the prestigious BU Valentine Invitational, with several athletes delivering historic performances.

• Timber Huysmans stole the show in the 200m, finishing 2nd overall with a blazing time of 21.15, making him #8 in NCAA Division II and #1 in the Mountain East Conference (MEC). His time also set the MEC record for the fastest 200m in conference history.
• Sam Idiens ran an impressive mile in 4:04.35, earning an NCAA Provisional mark and ranking #1 in the MEC. His time is now the 2nd fastest in both UC and MEC history.
• Cosmas Chelanga delivered a standout race in the 5,000m, finishing in 14:11.65, earning NCAA Provisional status, a #1 MEC ranking, and the 3rd fastest time in both UC and MEC history.
• Caleb Gilbert made history in the 3,000m, running 8:22.17, which now stands as the fastest 3K ever run by a freshman in UC history while securing the #1 spot in the MEC.
• On the women's side, Beth Sykes continued her dominance, running 4:55.70 in the mile, securing #1 in the MECand hitting an NCAA Provisional mark.

Grand Valley State Big Meet
The Golden Eagles continued their record-breaking form at the GVSU Big Meet, where they posted several top performances.

Women's Highlights:

• Maya Clark excelled in the 400 meters, running 56.43, finishing 9th overall, earning an NCAA Provisional mark, and ranking #1 in the MEC. Her time is now the 2nd fastest in UC and MEC history.
• Abby McKinney shined in the weight throw, launching 18.05m, placing 8th overall and ranking #16 in NCAA Division II and #1 in the MEC.
• Brooke Burns followed closely in the weight throw, hitting 16.15m to place 10th overall and rank #2 in the MEC.
• Colette Patti had a strong meet, competing in both sprints, running 7.81 in the 60m (19th overall, #3 MEC) and 25.37 in the 200m (22nd overall, #6 MEC).

Men's Highlights:

• Massimo Pantano set a school and MEC record in the 60-meter hurdles, running 8.03, earning an NCAA Provisional time, and finishing 3rd overall at the meet.
• Frankie Winter made history in the weight throw, breaking the UC school record with a 17.88m throw, finishing 2nd overall and #1 in the MEC. He also placed 5th in the shot put (16.15m).
• Luke Messinger and Jullian Matthews also had strong performances in the weight throw, finishing 4th (17.42m, #2 MEC) and 5th (16.88m, #3 MEC), respectively.

Marshall Thundering Herd Invitational
At the Marshall Thundering Herd Invitational, UC athletes continued to set personal records and claim top finishes.

Men's Highlights:

• Roberto Agrizzi delivered a standout performance in the 60m hurdles, winning the event with a time of 8.11, earning an NCAA Provisional mark, setting a personal record, and ranking #2 in the MEC. He also ran 22.25 in the 200m, finishing 9th overall.
• Hugo Hewitt won the 3,000 meters with a personal-best 8:32.23, now ranking #6 in the MEC.
• Evan Daniels (60m - 6.94, 6th overall, #8 MEC) and Matthew O'Shea (800m - 1:56.72, 5th overall, #8 MEC) both set personal records.
• Devon English finished 6th overall in the triple jump with a leap of 12.51m.

Women's Highlights:

• Amanda Ferrante ran 2:22.12 in the 800m, placing 10th overall and ranking #8 in the MEC.
• Sara Campana set a personal record in the mile, running 5:19.93 to finish 11th overall.
• Marina Barahona (800m - 2:25.47, 14th overall) and Abby Anderson (3,000m - 11:57.29, 6th overall) also turned in strong performances.
• Nadia Calore ran 2:33.53 in the 800m, finishing 20th overall.

Up Next: MEC Championships
The Golden Eagles now turn their attention to the MEC Indoor Track & Field Championships, set to take place this upcoming weekend. With multiple conference-leading marks and record-breaking performances leading into the championship meet, UC looks to build on their momentum and compete for conference titles. Stay tuned for more action as the Golden Eagles battle for MEC supremacy!