Huntington, W.Va. (Chris Cline Athletic Complex) — Charleston men's and women's track & field swept the team titles at the Mountain East Conference Indoor Track & Field Championships, held Saturday and Sunday.
The Golden Eagle men captured the team championship with 177 points, finishing well ahead of second-place Point Park (83). The Charleston women also claimed the conference crown with 140 points, topping Point Park (114). Head coach Nick Bias was named MEC Coach of the Year following the program's sweep of both team titles.
Mountain East Conference Indoor Track & Field Championships
MEN'S RESULTS
Running Events
60-Meter Hurdles
Massimo Pantano won the 60-meter hurdles to earn First Team All-Conference honors.
400 Meters
Alejandro Salgado won the 400 meters to earn First Team All-Conference honors. Salgado also ran on the winning 4x400 relay later in the meet. Eric Kreuter finished second in the 400 meters to earn Second Team All-Conference honors and was also part of the 4x400 relay squad.
800 Meters
Josh Messina earned honorable mention with a third-place finish after navigating a physical race with heavy positioning battles, moving up from mid-pack late to secure a podium spot.
Mile
Mathew Meli won the mile to earn First Team All-Conference honors. Meli also won the 3,000 meters, anchored the winning distance medley relay, and was named MEC Track Athlete of the Year and Freshman of the Year. Caleb Gilbert finished second to earn Second Team All-Conference honors and was also part of the DMR.
3,000 Meters
Hugo Hewitt earned Second Team All-Conference honors with a runner-up finish in the 3,000 meters. Collin Brooks earned honorable mention with a third-place finish, capping an indoor season highlighted by steady improvement and consistent personal bests, positioning him for a strong rise heading into the outdoor season.
5,000 Meters
Hugo Hewitt, the reigning MEC cross country champion from the fall, captured the 5,000-meter title and was named First Team All-Conference. Hewitt ran a patient, controlled race and finished exceptionally strong to secure the win. Harry Witt added an honorable mention performance with a third-place finish, contributing valuable points for Charleston in the distance events.
Distance Medley Relay
Charleston captured the DMR title as Matthew Mele, Caleb Gilbert, Carlos Gomez, and Oscar Rayner combined for the winning performance.
4x400 Relay
Charleston won the 4x400 relay despite a dropped baton on the opening leg. Alejandro Salgado delivered a 50-second split as the Golden Eagles recovered to take the event title. Eric Kreuter, Millar McElrea, and Brady Prior rounded out the relay squad.
Field Events / Multis
Heptathlon
Luke Davis earned Second Team All-Conference honors with a second-place finish.
Weight Throw
Julian Matthews won the weight throw to earn First Team All-Conference honors, narrowly edging teammate Luke Messinger, who finished second to earn Second Team All-Conference honors.
Shot Put
Aidan Corbett won the shot put to earn First Team All-Conference honors.
WOMEN'S RESULTS
Running Events
60 Meters
Coletta Patti won the 60 meters to earn First Team All-Conference honors with a time of 7.52 seconds, a mark that ranks 26th nationally. Patti was later named MEC Track Athlete of the Year.
60-Meter Hurdles
Mallori Dunn-Martin finished second in the 60-meter hurdles after falling at the finish line while leading the race, as Charleston went one-two in the event. Despite the fall, Dunn-Martin crossed the line to earn Second Team All-Conference honors.
200 Meters
Coletta Patti won the 200 meters in a time of 24.29 seconds, setting meet and school records.
800 Meters
Abbey Bolton earned Second Team All-Conference honors with a second-place finish and was also part of the distance medley relay squad.
Relays
Distance Medley Relay
Charleston placed second as Abbey Bolton, Amanda Ferrente, Sara Campana, and Dasheya Booker combined for the runner-up finish.
4x400 Relay
The Golden Eagles finished second with a squad that included Mallori Dunn-Martin, Dasheya Booker, Erica Davis, and Laura Delgado de Torres.
Field Events / Multis
Pentathlon
Laura Delgado de Torres won the pentathlon to earn First Team All-Conference honors. Delgado de Torres also broke the school record in the triple jump with a mark of 12.26 meters, which currently ranks 14th nationally, and was named MEC Championship MVP after scoring a meet-high 33 points.
Weight Throw
Joy Edward won the weight throw to earn First Team All-Conference honors and later added a second-place finish in the shot put. Mia Huber finished second in the weight throw to earn Second Team All-Conference honors.
Shot Put
Joy Edward placed second to earn Second Team All-Conference honors.
High Jump
Adrienne Truman earned Second Team All-Conference honors by tying her school record at 1.60 meters.
Up Next:
Charleston heads to the NCAA Division II Indoor Championships, held March 13–14 at the Virginia Beach Sports Center in Virginia Beach, Va.
