Iowa State Classic and BU Valentine Await Orange
The Syracuse track and field teams will return to action in a pair of crucial regular season meets for NCAA qualifying this weekend.
Orange at the Iowa State Classic
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Justyn Knight headlines the Syracuse competitors racing in Ames, Iowa this weekend. He's entered in the 3000-meters in what promises to be one of the fastest fields in the nation this season.
- Knight set the facility and meet record in the event this weekend last year, blazing a time of 7:48.71 en route to collecting the win and qualifying for the NCAA Championships.
- Syracuse alum Martin Hehir – who rabbited the 3000-meters at the Iowa State Classic last season following the conclusion of his collegiate career - will be on hand in the event as well as a professional, competing for Northern Arizona Elite.
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Adam Palamar is also entered in the 3000-meters with Knight. Palamar, who raced the mile (indoor) and 1500-meters (outdoor) at the NCAA Championships last season, has already turned in one of the nation's fastest miles this year (3:57.39) will up his distance this weekend.
- Washington's Colby Gilbert (7:45.71) currently owns the nation's fastest time in the 3000-meters this season, mere seconds off Knight's PR.
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Iliass Aouani and
Colin Bennie will compete in the 5000-meters for the Orange at the event as well.
Orange at the David Hemery Valentine Invitational
- The bulk of the Orange competitors will head to Boston University for the third time this season to race in the David Hemery Valentine Invitational.
- Having already broken the 400-meter record twice this season and posting one of the top-15 times nationally in the event,
Kadejhia Sellers looks to take down the 200-meter record, which she also owns, this weekend (23.90). She'll be joined by
Victoria Parker in the event.
- The other big event for the Orange women this weekend is the 4x400-meter relay, which features
Ebhani Blackwood,
Tia Thevenin,
Danielle Delgado and Sellers.
- In the mile,
McKenzie Altmayer,
Rachel Bonner,
Madeleine Davison,
Kayli Jones and
Sydney Leiher will look to lay down fast times on a track known for its miles.
Joel Hubbard and
Adam Palamar each turned in sub-four minute miles and top-15 times nationally on this track this season in separate events. Robbie Hall,
TJ Hornberger,
Paul Lovell,
Andy Paladino,
Nick Ryan and
Aidan Tooker (who ran 4:02 two weeks ago) will join Hubbard in the men's mile this weekend.
- Davison is also entered in the 3000-meters, so it'll likely be one or the other. If she races the 3k, she'll compete with
Paige Stoner,
Chelsie Pennello and
Kelsey Potts. Joe Dragon,
Dominic Hockenbury,
Griff Molino,
Adam Visokay,
Simon Smith and
Kevin James will compete on the men's side, making this the weekend's deepest Syracuse event.
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Justice Richardson and
Regine Hunter will compete in the 60-meter dash.
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Ebhani Blackwood and
Cheyenne Trigg will race in the 400 for the 'Cuse women.
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Paul Lovell will square off with the 800-meters, as will
Sam Somera.
Action gets underway on Friday.