West Long Branch, N.J. - The St. Thomas Aquinas College Track and Field team took on some of the best athletes from Divisions I, II and III at the Monmouth University Winter Collegiate Invitational, which was held at the Oceanfirst Bank Center in Southern New Jersey on Saturday.
The men's squad put forth outstanding performances, including Emmanuel Mena Jimenez's first place finish in the Weight Throw, with a toss of 18.99m (62'3.75"), which set a new school record for the third time this season. Andrew Drescher finished third in the 800 Meter Run, clocking in at 2:04.23, while James Polisena placed third in the 3000 Meter Run, crossing the finishing line in a time of 9:48.54. Jayden Bennermon took third in the High Jump, leaping 1.90m (6'2.75"), as the 4x400 Meter Relay team of Brent Allen, Andrew Drescher, Alex Quillan and Charlie Moore finished second with a 3:40.44 time.
In the women's events, Skylar Moreno continued her fantastic season, placing second in the 800 Meter Run with a time of 2:27.96. Gabriella Mott excelled in the 3000 Meter Run, posting an 11:40.04 time and finishing third overall. The 4x400 Meter Relay team of Skylar Moreno, Isabella Esposito, Ciara Doyle and Megan Murphy finished as the runner up in the race, clocking in at 4:32.34. Meanwhile in the field events, Nicole Gysin placed third in the High Jump with a leap of 1.45m (4'9")
STAC next returns to action at the Rutgers University Scarlet Knights Open on Friday, February 3 at the 168th Street Armory in New York City.
Top 10 Finishers (By Event) at Monmouth University Winter Collegiate Invitational
Men's Events
200 Meter Dash: Elizah Gordon - 23.54 (5th Place)
400 Meter Dash: Brent Allen - 53.26 (4th Place)
500 Meter Dash: Alex Quillan - 1:12.03 (8th Place)
800 Meter Run: Andrew Drescher - 2:04.23 (3rd Place), Charlie Moore - 2:11.97 (10th Place)
3000 Meter Run: James Polisena - 9:48.54 (3rd Place), John Ciuffo - 10:15.37 (8th Place)
4x400 Meter Relay: Brent Allen, Andrew Drescher, Alex Quillian & Charlie Moore - 3:40.44 (2nd Place), Shawn Benard, Brian Dominguez, Aiden De La Rosa & Michael Calafiore - 4:09.79 (5th Place)
High Jump: Jayden Bennermon - 1.90m/6'2.75" (3rd Place), Alexander Riobe - 1.70m/5'7" (6th Place)
Triple Jump: Alexander Riobe - 12.33m/40'5.5" (7th Place), Ryan Folmer - 11.68m/38'4" (9th Place)
Shot Put: Emmanuel Mena Jimenez - 14.19m/46'6.75" (6th Place)
Weight Throw: Emmanuel Mena-Jimenez - 18.99m/62'3.75" (1st Place) *NEW SCHOOL RECORD*, Kevin Campbell - 13.53m/44'4.75" (7th Place), Tyler Robinson - 12.53m/41'1.5" (9th Place)
Women's Events
400 Meter Dash: Isabella Esposito - 1:06.82 (5th Place), Ciara Doyle - 1:09.27 (6th Place)
800 Meter Run: Skylar Moreno - 2:27.96 (2nd Place), Samantha Frisbee - 2:46.09 (7th Place)
3000 Meter Run: Gabriella Mott - 11:40.04 (3rd Place)
4x400 Meter Relay: Skylar Moreno, Isabella Esposito, Ciara Doyle & Megan Murphy - 4:32.34 (2nd Place)
High Jump: Nicole Gysin - 1.45m/4'9" (3rd Place)
Long Jump: Guerlourde Estabine - 4.80m/15'9" (10th Place)
Triple Jump: Nicole Gysin - 10.14m/33'3.25" (6th Place)
Shot Put: Guerlourde Estabine - 10.29m/33'9.25" (7th Place)
Weight Throw: Alexis Krause - 11.09m/36'4.75" (10th Place)