LANDOVER, Md. – The Maryland track and field team put on a fantastic performance at the Terrapin Invitational at the Prince George's County Sports and Learning Complex Saturday.
The Terrapins easily captured the women's title with 180 team points, while the men's team also featured numerous standout performances.
“Both teams came extremely well prepared,” head coach Andrew Valmon said. “The last thing we talked about before we came out was that we had to protect our house. I think they went out today and did that.”
Women's Events
Maryland won a number of events on the women's side Saturday. Senior Chioma Onyekwere won the weight throw with a toss of 20.03m while sophomore Claudia Ababio took second with a mark of 18.23m.
Onyekwere returned later in the day to win the shot put with a throw of 15.26m. Ababio notched a mark of 14.63m for second.
Senior Noella Anyangwe dominated the 60mH, running 8.70 in the prelims before a blazing fast 8.58 to cruse to a win in the final. Sophomore Peyton Wade nabbed second in 8.83 seconds.
The Terps captured another event title through junior Micha Powell in the 60m. After sitting in fourth after 30 meters, Powell roared back to nip the field at the line in 7.66. Maryland's top 4x400 team continued its fantastic season with a win in 3:47.53.
Maryland dominated the 600m with six athletes in the top seven spots. Sophomore Alexandra Lucki led the way in 1:35.29. Senior Charlotte Staver (1:35.83) and junior Catherine Voelpel (1:35.91) finished out the top-three sweep while Alexandra Cimino (1:37.80, 5th), Obichi Onwukwe (1:39.48, 6th) and Rachelle Alexander (1:40.95, 7th) stamped Maryland's dominance in the event.
The Terrapins took four of the top seven spots in the 300m with junior Lisa Meneau taking the title in 39.24. Junior Taylor Tucker crossed the line in 40.79 to place third while sophomore Breanna Coleman (42.10, 6th) and sophomore Chandler Baxter (42.74, 7th) also recorded strong showings.
In the high jump, Johnna Dominick leapt 1.74m to finish third while Wade grabbed fourth with a mark of 1.71m.
Catherine Sheffo ran a solid 18.18.76 to place sixth while Karah O'Halloran finished with a time of 18:30.76 in the 5000m.
The 800m saw junior Alexa Squirini score for the Terps with a mark of 2:21.02.
Men's Events
Junior Paul Joseph led the way in a top-three sweep for the Terps in the 300m. Joseph clocked 35.52 to edge Dahri Jahn-Richardson (35.55) and TJ Bleichner (35.97),
In the 800m, senior Dan Trettel continued his strong season with a win, taking the race in 1:55.57. Freshman Jared Loadholt notched a top-10 showing with a time of 2:01.20.
Freshman Carlos Vanzego had a breakout performance in the triple jump, leaping 14.37m to win the event.
Sophomore Nick Pulli threw a personal best of 14.58m to finish second in the weight throw.
Junior Brandon Thompson was Maryland's lone representative in the 60m and he placed fifth after running a 7.07 in the final.
In the mile, freshman Aaron Barlev used a great kick to win his heat in 4.22.12 to ultimately finish eighth. Tom Hogarty (4.22.24, 9th) and Louis Corgliano (4:26.90, 12th) were just behind. Freshman Hazem Miawad took fourth in the 600m in 1:23.17.
The Terps 4x400m team took that event in 3:20.12.
Maryland returns to the track next weekend at the New York Armory Collegiate Invitational.
– Terps –
