Track and Field Teams Begin Year at FastTrack Season Opener in Staten Island
Event held at Ocean Breeze Athletic Complex.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. – Competing for the first time in the 2024-25 campaign, the University of Bridgeport's men's and women's track and field teams took part in the FastTrack Season Opener on Friday at the Ocean Breeze Athletic Complex in Staten Island.
Women's Recap
A litany of newcomers highlighted the first of seven meets for the Purple Knights this winter.
Amongst the performances was Kara Sampath making her UB debut by finishing 36th in the 60-meter (8.40, 26th) and posting a new collegiate-best time in the 200-meter (27.10).
The 60-meter was a popular race for the Purple and White as UB had three more finishers following Sampath. Kesiri Gonzales tallied a 42nd-place effort while freshman Ricki Vogues came in 54th (8.96) and freshman Abety Kivagheni was slotted 56th (9.08).
Gonzales also darted to a 52nd-place time in the 200-meter (28.60).
A pair of Purple Knights competed in the mile on Friday. Julia Fortune placed 30th in a time of 6:02.20 while freshman Stephanie Lickteig clocked a new indoor-best mark of 6:21.60.
UB's field results included a 27th-place finish from Faith Hershberger in the long jump (4.48m) and a 24th-place effort from Erica Lindsay in the shot put (8.31m).
Men's Recap
On the men's side, it was a mix of newcomers and returners taking to action on Friday.
Dante Lingley posted one of UB's top performances in the 60-meter. The graduate transfer clocked in a time of 7.02 to finish in 17th.
The 60-meter also featured a PR mark of 7.26 from Nickolas Barba. Barba placed 73rd in the 200-meter (24.50) as well.
Edoardo Vandelli, meanwhile, finished 27th in the mile (4:45.10). The freshman from Italy is coming off a CACC All-Conference cross country season.
Sophomore Matt Torres followed in the mile with a time of 5:17.11 (50th place).
Another returner, John Panzera, also shined on Friday. The sophomore posted a PR mark of 9.03 in the 60-hurdles. He also PR'd in the high jump with a score of 1.89m to finish in 10th.
Marvin Fenwick, Jr. made a little bit of history for the Purple Knights with their first-ever triple jump. The freshman earned a score of 12.95m to finish in 14th place.
Another first was Nick Migliarese tossing the weight throw. The Floridian finished in the 23rd with a toss of 10.53m.
UP NEXT
The Purple Knights will compete at SCSU's Art Kadish Elm City Challenge next weekend (Dec. 13-14).