Overall it was quite a team effort from members of the Roadrunner Men's and Women's Track and Field team this weekend.
How else do you explain a third place overall finish in the men's team race, producing three individual national champions, and a combined 28 personal bests from both teams?
"The team was in the hunt and hungry for a trophy all season," said Coach Ryan Hughes. "They worked extremely hard and pushed each other to their limits. It's always been a goal of mine to have the team enjoy their time here and be able to work together as a family to perform better... and they have done that."
The Roadrunners emerged with two individual men's national champions and one in the women's competition.
Chris Guerrieri won the national championship in the men's shot put with a PR throw of 16.46m -- the third bst overall time in NJCAA D III history! He also earned All-American honors with a third in the men's hammer.
"I was hoping for the national record in the shot but came up just a little short," said Guerrieri. "But overall this was a great mete for me personally and the team."
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Sophomore Mike Taylor grabbed the national championship in the men's hammer to also earn All-American honors.
"It was an honor to perform this well on a national stage," said Taylor. "I was seventh in the event last year, so it was great to make the jump."
In Women's action, sophomore Mariella Farrell emerged a national champion in the hammer throw after placing second in the event the year before.
"I honestly thought I ended up second," said Mariella. "I had a personal best (40.71 meters) and I was thrilled to make it to the top."
Additional All-American honors were captured by:
All-American 2nd places=
Anas Bensaoud - 5000m
Giorgio Bruno - 400m hurdles
All-American 3rd places=
Anas Bensaoud - 1500m
JT Coleman - 400m
Hailey Hartwyk - pole vault
Chris Guerrieri - hammer
The Men's team placed third overall in the team race while the women were 9th. Watch for followup details next week with interviews with our champon Roadrunners!
Day 1 Results
The Roadrunner Men's and Women's Track teams came away with two individual national champions and three All-Americans on Day 1 of the NJCAA Division III National Championships at Mohawk Valley Community College in Utica, NY.
In women's competition, sophomore Mariella Farrell earned a national title and All-American honors in the hammer throw with a personal best throw of 40.71 m.
In men's action, sophomore Mike Taylor emerged as national champion in the hammer throw while teammate Chris Guerrieri placed third to also earn All-American honors.
After Day 1, the Men's team was in second place with 25 points, just behind College of DuPage. The Roadrunner Women's team sit in 7th place in the team race with 16 points.
Tournament Preview
The Rowan College South Jersey - Gloucester Track and Field teams are set to compete at the NJCAA DIII Outdoor Track & Field National Championships from May 11-13. The meet is being hosted this year by Mohawk Valley Community College in Utica, NY, the same site where the Runners won a Men's National Championship in 2018.
The highly talented RCSJ squads are currently both ranked in the latest United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) National poll. The Roadrunner teams are also both ranked #1 in the USTFCCA East Region and in NJCAA Region IX.
RCSJ will be sending a large contingent of both men and women athletes who have qualified for the NJCAA Championships based on their performances throughout the season. The following athletes are national qualifiers:
Women's Team:
Alexandra Campo: 4x800m, 10,000m
Alyssa Connor: 4x800m, 4x400m, 10,000m
Ashton Wiseley: 4x800m, 4x400m, 1500m, 800m, 400m
Mackenzie Cochran: 4x800m, 4x400m, 4x100m
Susana Serrano: 4x800m, 4x400m, 4x100m, 100 hurdles, 400 hurdles, 800m
Mariella Farrell: Discus, Hammer, Javelin
Sloane Genovese: Javelin
Hailey Hartwyk: Pole Vault, Triple Jump, 4x100m, 4x400m, 400m
Avonna Anderson: 4x100m, 400m hurdles
Men's Team:
Evan Hope: Javelin
Mike Taylor: Hammer, Discus
Chris Guerrieri: Hammer, Shot Put, Discus
Khalif Horton: 4x100m, 4x400m, 100m, 200m, 400m
JT Coleman: 4x100m, 4x400m, 100m, 200m, 400m, triple jump
Zach Wileczek: 4x100m, 4x400m, 100m, 200m, 400m
Giorgio Bruno: 4x100m, 4x400m, 400m, 400m hurdles
Anas Bensaoud: 4x800m, 1500m, 800m, 5000m
Charlie Hepler: 4x800m, steeplechase, 5000m
Derek Wyllie: 4x800m, 800m
Ben Kellum: 4x800m
John Schilling: 4x800m
Mike Abate: 10,000m
Check back for tournament results throughout the weekend.