University of Delaware Track & Field Athletes Capture Nine Titles at Rain-Shortened VCU Invitational
April 16, 2011
File Photo Courtesy of Chris Permar
• RICHMOND, Va. -- University of Delaware athletes captured nine first place finishes, set two school freshman records, and qualified for the ECAC and IC4A regional championships in five different events to highlight action at the rain-shortened Virginia Commonwealth Outdoor Track & Field Invitational Saturday at VCU.
The meet was held at the site of the Colonial Athletic Association Championships to be contested on May 6-7.
The Delaware women picked up six first place finishes led by sprinter Vicky Caruso, who continued her impressive string of wins by capturing both the 200 and 400 meter events while also running a leg of the fourth place 4 x 100 meter relay. She covered the 200 meters in 24.20, posted a career-best time of 54.54 in the 400 meters, and teamed with Nijah Dupiche, Asia Hollis, and Kristi Cox for a time of 47.44 in the 400 meter relay. Caruso, who qualified for the ECAC meet in all three events, has now won 20 career meet titles, including seven this spring.
Also bringing home first place finishes for the Hens were Latoya James in the 100 meter hurdles (14.48), Alana Pantale in the shot put (41-feet, 6 1/2-inches), Kayla Hennessy in the 400 meter hurdles (1:03.22), and Jen Watunya in the 5,000 meters (17:54.93). Jessie Ermak placed second in the 5,000 meters (18:18.18), Lindsay Prettyman posted a runner-up finish in the 1,500 meters (4:45.10), Pantale was third in the discus (138-5), Leeann Seiwell was third in the 5,000 meters (18:34.48), Cox was third in the 400 meters (57.29), and Courtney Sniscak was third in the hammer (155-10). Sniscak’s throw broke her own Delaware freshman record toss of 147-2 set earlier this season.
On the men’s side, Delaware received three first place performances as Jim Schwendtner captured the hammer with a career-best throw of 188-3, reigning CAA Field Athlete of the Week John Viotto won the shot put (51-9), and John Hally won the 110 meter hurdles in a time of 14.99 to win for the second straight week.
Schwendtner’s throw was the second best in school history and qualified him for May’s IC4A championships. Viotto also qualified for the IC4A meet with his winning throw as he upped his season meet win total to seven and his career victory slate to 13.
The Hens also recorded four second place finishes led by Connor Whitesel in the hammer (177-4), Tim Byrne in the shot put (51-4 1/2), Andrue Smith in the 110 meter hurdles (15.54), and Joe Grieco in the 800 meters. Byrne and Whitesel also qualified for the IC4A meet with their tosses with Byrne’s throw breaking the 21-year old UD freshman record of 51-0 by Lou Pellegrini in 1990.
Both Delaware teams will continue action next weekend when they compete at both the Morgan State Invitational and at the Larry Ellis Invitational at Princeton.
AGATE:
Delaware Men’s Finishers: 1st Place - Jim Schwendtner, hammer (188-3); John Viotto, shot put (51-9); John Hally, 110m hurdles (14.99); 2nd Place - Connor Whitesel, hammer (177-4); Tim Byrne, shot put (51-4 1/2; UD Freshman Record); Andrue Smith, 110m hurdles (15.54); Joe Grieco, 800m (1:58.77); 3rd Place - Ryan Braunagel, hammer (171-6); Nick Alexander, shot put (48-10); Dan Feeney, 5,000m (15:03.34); 4th Place - Vinny Fronczkowski, 400m (50.30); 5th Place - 4 x 100m Relay (Tim Kutchen, Tyreece Clayton, Vinny Fronczkowski, Jeremy Simkins), 44.26; Chris Engel, hammer (154-7); Aidan Galasso, 5,000m (15:25.38); James Townsend, 1,500m (4:11.95); 6th Place - Ryan Beach, hammer (146-10); Andrue Smith, 400m hurdles (57.42); Mike O’Brian, 5,000m (15:37.59); 7th Place - Justin Molligan, 400m (51.36); 8th Place - John Farelli, shot put (44-2 1/2); Marshall Hawkins, 5,000m (15:43.15); Vinny Fronczkowski, 200m (23.08); 10th Place - Chris Gerges, long jump (20-6 1/2); Jeremy Simkins, 110m hurdles (16.37); Ed Bonnevie, 5,000m (15:47.30); 12th Place - Steve Forgo, 400m (53.33); 14th Place - Kendall Poole, long jump (19-6 1/4); Tyreece Clayton, 200m (23.59); 16th Place - Anthony Loccisano, long jump (18-1); Justin Molligan, 200m (23.70); 19th Place - Tim Kutchen, 200m (24.25); Tyreece Clayton, 100m (11.16); 23rd Place - Tim Kutchen, 100m (11.16); 24th Place - Steve Forgo, 200m (24.45); 26th Place - Anthony Loccisano, 100m (11.37).
