Ramapo’s men’s outdoor track and field took part in the Ramapo Invitational at their home of Ramapo’s Athletic Center this past weekend.
On Friday, junior Ryan Pena finished with a time of 15 minutes eight seconds, taking second place overall in the 5k. Fellow Roadrunner Julian Mignone finished not far behind Pena in fifth place with a time of 15:48.42. In seventh place, senior Mohamed Nidaazzi clocked in at 15:49.57 with sophomore Jose Espinal not far behind him in 12th, finishing in 16:58.50. James Stanton finished in 17:01.16, just behind Espinal in 13th place.
The throwing events of Friday saw Nick Palmadesso land himself in first place, winning the javelin throw with a 48.29m mark.
“I did enjoy the meet being at home, it’s very comforting to compete where you practice. Plus the meet ran very smoothly which made the competition part easier,” Palmadesso said in an email to The Ramapo News.
This was a new personal best for Palmadesso, his previous best in the javelin throw being 39.74m.
“I feel really great after the meet, I felt it was a strong opener, and I look forward to improving throughout the season,” Palmadesso said. “Going into my next meet I just want to keep everything simple and focus on improving my skill set, rather than focus on results.”
Continuing the javelin throw, junior Braden Holm placed himself in fifth with a throw of 14.30m. Behind Holm, fellow roadrunner Alexander Riba finished in 10th with his mark landing at 11.91m.
Following Friday’s exemplary performance from the Roadrunners, the invitational continued on Saturday at the North Field by Ramapo’s Athletic Center.
In the 100m dash, junior Brandon Balcacer took third place with a time of 10.97 seconds. Freshman JC Mendoza finished the 100m finals in sixth place with a time of 11.18. In the 200m, Terrell Locket finished in 22.24, landing him third place and a tie for the ninth fastest time in program history.
Sophomore Logan Natale finished in fourth with a time at 22.38. Michael Mohr finished the 1,500m race in fourth place with a time of 4:10.90.
In the 5k, Pena finished in second place with a time of 15:08.30, Mignone finished in fifth with a time of 15:48.42 and Nidaazzi finished in seventh place with a time of 15:49.57.
For the 400m hurdles event, Matt Suero clocked in with a time of 55.94.
“Track is unique as a sport because you can’t just put in extra reps the night before a meet,” Suero said in an email to The Ramapo News. “My preparation for this meet started back in September when I began training for the season. By the time I stepped onto the track, I had full confidence in my ability and knew I was ready to win.”
Suero now holds the seventh-fastest time at Ramapo in the 400m hurdles event.
“I am feeling super excited and grateful after the win. Even though I am happy with the result, it is not time to celebrate yet. The job is not finished, it has only just begun,” Suero said.
Junior Colin Unis placed fifth, while fellow Roadrunner Lindell Mejia finished behind him in sixth.
A team made up of Anthony Gentile, Terrell Lockett, Mark Shinkorenko and Natale placed second in the 4×100 relay, finishing in 42.60. This team competed again in the 4×400 relay and finished with a combined time of 3:19.54, putting them in second place.
For the 4×800 relay, a team of George Losche, Mohr, Mignone and Pena finished with a combined time of 8:03.49.
For the field events, Holm finished fifth in the shot put with a mark of 14.30m. Senior Sebastian Pross finished the hammer throw in third place with a mark of 51.71m.
This Friday, the Roadrunners will return to the Metropolitan Championships at Icahn Stadium at 9 a.m.
jhammer@ramapo.edu
Additional reporting by Brigid Keating
Featured photo courtesy of Stockton Photo Inc
