Once again, the West Chester University’s men’s track and field team continued their dominance at another track meet on March 29. This track meet was in Towson, Md., at the Towson Invitational at Johnny Unitas Stadium. Schools that were featured were names like Towson, Delaware, Holy Family, and a variety of other colleges.
Eric Hunter was the big winner in this meet. Hunter, junior, was able to showcase yet another solid performance during the Towson Invitational. His stellar play caused him to touch West Chester University’s school records. During the men’s pole vault event, Hunter cleared for 15 feet three inches which was the third best in school history. He was also half an inch away from tying his career high. The junior, pole vault runner from Allentown, Pa., is on the way to break school multiple records.
Another player who came up big during this track meet was Tyler Espey. Tyler Espey placed first in the men’s javelin throw. He threw with a distance of 175-4. Sophomore Joe DeCecco placed in the High Jump with a score 6-6 ¾. Because of that, it puts him in a tie for seventh in all-time among the high jump events.
Ryan Heimbach had placed first in the Men 110 Meter Hurdles with a time of 16.18. Meanwhile, fellow teammate Miles Ransom came second with a time of 16.47. Other Golden Rams who placed in the 110 meter hurdles were Colin Vannicolo (4) and Mark van Teyens (–).
Ricky Bruno had placed third within the men’s 100 meter dash. In the 200 meter dash, members from the track and field team who placed in the event were Colin Vannicolo (2nd), Miles Ransom (3rd) and Collin Mascola (4th). In the 400 meter dash, Ghassan Dix placed fourth overall with a time of 52.12. In the 5000 meter run, Andrew Dombrowiecki placed third while Nick Angelina placed fourth overall. In the 110 meter hurdles, Heimbach placed first with a distance of 16.18 and Ransom placed second with a distance of 16.47.
Their teammate, Colin Vannicolo placed a couple spots behind them at the fourth place with a distance of 15.80. In the 400 meter hurdles, three rams took the first three spots; Nick Drozd finished first (56.75), van Teyens finished second (56.92), and Shawn Young finished third (58.71). West Chester as a team placed first within the men’s 4×100 meter relay. In the shot put, Gregory Raudenbush placed second, Ethan Werner placed third and Licona placed fifth.
West Chester is recently enjoying the success from their meet last week. They had the Golden Rams Invitational in their very own town. Men’s track team had taken first place in eight events. DeCecco won many events such as the high jump and the triple jump as well.
Other events West Chester won last week at the Golden Rams Invitational were the 4×100 relay, 100-meter dash, 200-meter dash, 100-meter hurdles, 400-meter hurdles, 4×400 meter relay, triple jump and the high jump. Players who shined during that track meet were Alex Foulke, Ghassan Dix, Shawn Young, Nick Drozd and Joseph DeCecco. Schools like Lincoln, Immaculata and Neumann were in attendance at the Golden Ram Invitational track meet. Mark van Teyens had placed first in the 110 meter hurdles, which finished with a time of 15.26. Fellow teammates Ryan Heimbach and Miles Ransom had placed second and third respectively.
WCU was able to come out big against their adversaries. Junior, Eric Hunter was able to chase school history. The Rams will now prepare and get ready for another home track meet, as the Golden Rams will partake in the Golden Rams Invitational on April 11. Their goal in all of these meets is to continue its strong run, as it prepares for the postseason.
For the rest of the season the Rams have at least four more meets, with three of them being at home. However, if the Rams perform well, they could be participating in meets until the end of May, if they made Nationals in Michigan.
Gabe Smith is a second-year studetn majoring in communication studies with a minor psychology minor. He can be reached at GS783203@wcupa.edu.