STATE COLLEGE, Pa.— Freshmen Caleb Dean (60m hurdles) and Joseph Ewan (60m, 200m) finished their first meet as Terps with times placed in Maryland track and field's top 10 all-time list at the Nittany Lion Challenge Saturday at Penn State's Ashenfelter Indoor Track.
Dean qualified for finals in the 60m hurdles with a 8.13 finish, which earned him the seventh-best time in Maryland's history. Dean posted a time of 8.18 in finals with a third place finish. Ewan, who qualified for the 60m dash with a 6.93 finish, worked his way to an all-time seventh best in finals (6.90). He also is the sixth fastest 200m runner with a time of 21.80.
Women:
Nadia Hackett began her junior season with a personal best 8.64 in the 60m hurdles. After posting a personal best in prelims (8.67), Hackett set an additional personal best when shed her time in finals and entered the top-ten list in hurdles. Freshman Chloe Royce made her college debut in the 60m hurdles, helping her prepare for the heptathlon.
The Terps' throw squad started the season with strong performances in shot put and weight throw. Junior Alice Barnsdale carried the momentum from last season taking home second place in weight throw (17.04m). Following close in third place was sophomore Kamryn Henderson, who threw a personal best mark of 16.90m. Henderson also set a personal best in shot put with a mark of 12.99m. Freshman Sarah George entered the throwing ring for the first time in a Maryland uniform, throwing 13.12m in shot put and 14.56m in weight throw.
In short sprints, Jaida Smith qualified for finals and took home fifth with a time of 7.76 in the 60m dash. Senior Venida Fagan and junior Cheyenne Jones opened their seasons with the 200m dash. Jones placed fourth in the event posting an indoor season best of 25.01.
Leah Blackall represented the Terps in jumps, placing second in triple jump (12.23m), 40'1.50". The senior who was a podium finisher at the 2019 Big Ten Championships is looking forward to big jumps this season.
Anna Coffin made her college debut on the track as she paced her way through the mile, holding a steady place and finishing fifth in her section (5:11.37). The Terps' distance squad also competed in the 1000m and 3000m races. Mackenzie Morgan set a personal best in the 1000m (2:56.32) securing a second place finish. Freshman, Samantha Facius made a great start to her indoor season clocking 3:02.58. Christine Laurie took on the 3000m with a third place finish (10:01.55). Laurie was the top collegiate finisher in this event.
Men:
Freshman Drake Murphy completed his first collegiate meet in the 60m hurdles crossing the line in 8.47. Aaron Robinson began his junior year with the 600m dash with a time of 1:22.99.
Will Jones (mile) and Rylan Flint (3000m) competed in their first meet of the season as they paced across the line.
Maryland will host the Terrapin Invitational Saturday Jan. 18 at the Prince George's Sports and Learning Complex. The meet will begin at 10:00 a.m. with shot put, weight throw, long jump, high jump and pole vault.
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