Indoor track and field kicks off 2023-24 campaign

Photo courtesy of Jeff Febus, Calvin Sports Information

ALLENDALE, Mich. — On Friday, the Albion College indoor track and field teams kicked off their 2023-24 campaign. Facing off against talent from all divisions, multiple Brits competed in their first indoor meet of the season. Most of the competition was across Division II and Division I competitors, giving Albion a great opportunity in its season opener.

Omar Gordon Jr. was fourth in the triple jump, logging 13.72m. Taking ninth was Ronnie Puczkowski with a leap of 13.27m.

In the 60m dash, Will Davis ran a 7.13, as Ronnie Puczkowski clocked a 7.25. Also running in the event for Albion was KingDavid Adedapo and Manny Hodges. In the men's 200m dash, Adedapo led Albion with a 23.62, while Hodges ran a 24.02.

Sophomore Josiah Graddick was the lone Briton to compete in the 400mm dash. Graddick finished with a PR of 51.14.

Taking seventh in the 5,000m run was freshman Logan Vining, recording a time of 16:00.29. Coming in 13th was fellow freshman Alexander Hammond with a race of 16:25.40, while Houston Bowen Jr. was 17th (17:24.94). Robert Belf III also competed for the Britons.

Junior Brayden Stavros recorded a jump of 4.05m in the pole vault. With a throw of 10.14m, Jose Martinez was the one men's competitor in the shot put. Eddie Hines – in a different section – took ninth with a throw of 14.23m. Hines later placed 12th in weight throw.

On the women's side, Avery Campbell was the highest finisher for Albion in the 60m dash with a time of 7.93m. Nayaisha Edmond and Lauren Fenstermaker also competed for the Britons. Fenstermaker later competed in the 200m dash with a time of 28.81.

Brianna Bennett (1:07.29) and Sarah Kozal (1:08.85) were just within each other in the 400m dash. Freshman Kyra Shouldice ran a 1:11.60 in the event. Later in the evening, the women's 4x400 relay team of Bennett, Kozal, Shouldice and Fenstermaker ran a 4:35.01.

Fatima Cruz's time of 19:28.68 was the best for Albion in the 5,000m run. Both Cassandra Gallagher (19:57.60) and Olivia DeGraaf (20:10.06) also competed for Albion.

Edmond later took 11th overall in the 60m hurdles with a time of 9.45 – the best of Division III opponents.

Senior Lindsey Walicki jumped a 4.29m in the women's long jump.

Junior Tess Anthony took sixth in the shot put with a mark of 12.13m. Albion saw Leilani Casteele (9.53m), Ashley Booth (9.08m), Skye Dickson (8.73m) and Nya Foster (7.44m) compete in the event.

Anthony later took fourth in the weight throw with a toss of 15.42m. Booth, Dickson and Casteele all recorded marks in the event as well.

The Britons will be idle throughout the holiday break. They will resume competition on Jan. 20 at Central Michigan.

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Players Mentioned

Houston Bowen Jr.: Mid-Distance; Freshman

Omar Gordon Jr: Sprints, Jumps; Freshman

Ronnie Puczkowski: Sprints; Freshman

Ashley Booth: Throws; Freshman

Avery Campbell: Sprints; Freshman

Tess Anthony: Throws; Junior

Olivia DeGraaf: Distance; Junior

Leilani Casteele: Throws; Sophomore

Fatima Cruz: Distance; Junior

Skye Dickson: Throws; Senior

Brianna Bennett: Hurdles; Freshman

Lauren Fenstermaker: Sprints; Freshman

Players Mentioned

Houston Bowen Jr.
: Freshman
: Mid-Distance

Omar Gordon Jr
: Freshman
: Sprints, Jumps

Ronnie Puczkowski
: Freshman
: Sprints

Ashley Booth
: Freshman
: Throws

Avery Campbell
: Freshman
: Sprints

Tess Anthony
: Junior
: Throws

Olivia DeGraaf
: Junior
: Distance

Leilani Casteele
: Sophomore
: Throws

Fatima Cruz
: Junior
: Distance

Skye Dickson
: Senior
: Throws

Brianna Bennett
: Freshman
: Hurdles

Lauren Fenstermaker
: Freshman
: Sprints