Outdoor Track and Field Season Launches in Philadelphia
The women’s and men’s track and field teams at Princeton University commenced their outdoor season on Saturday in Philadelphia. The event, known as the Penn Challenge, was hosted by the University of Pennsylvania and included seven neighboring schools. Princeton’s athletes excelled, claiming six victories in the men’s events and three in the women’s events, with numerous personal bests achieved across the board.
A Promising Start
“We had a fantastic first meet,” remarked men’s Head Coach Jason Vigilante in an interview with The Daily Princetonian. “It’s a rare treat to have sunshine and mild temperatures in March for an outdoor track meet.”
Setting the Stage for a Historic Season
While women’s track and field Head Coach Michelle Eisenreich characterized the Penn Challenge as “kind of like a glorified training opportunity,” she emphasized that it symbolizes the onset of what could become a historic season for Princeton track and field.
The Quest for the Triple Crown
A triple crown is achieved when a team wins all three championships — cross country, indoor, and outdoor track and field — within the same season. After successfully sweeping the Ivy League titles in cross country and indoor events, the Tigers are now eyeing a potential triple crown for both men’s and women’s teams, a feat accomplished just once in history by Princeton in 2011.
“When cross country secured their championship last fall, it ramped up everyone’s motivation,” Eisenreich shared with the ‘Prince.’ “It has only been achieved three times in Ivy League history on the women’s side, so doing it again would be monumental, adding to what is already an extraordinary season.”
Men’s Legacy and Ambition
On the men’s front, Princeton has exhibited dominance in this athletic arena, winning nine outdoor titles since 2010 along with an impressive seven triple crowns during the same timeframe. The team now aims for consecutive triple crowns for the third time in their history.
“We excelled in cross country, defeating a strong Harvard team, and noted our largest margin of victory at the Ivy League indoor championships,” Vigilante remarked. “As we approach the outdoor meet, we’re stirred by the chance for a second consecutive triple crown.”
Women’s Team Driven by Determination
The women’s team is fueled by motivation this season, seeking to reclaim the outdoor title lost to their rival, Penn, by a razor-thin margin of half a point during the Ivy League Heptagonal Championship last year. The women have not secured the Outdoor Heps since 2011, which was also the last time they captured the triple crown. This year signifies a significant revival, with victories in both cross country and indoor track, marking a substantial comeback.
“We are relentlessly pushing to overcome last year’s heartbreak,” Eisenreich underscored. “Coming so close to winning the outdoor championship within half a point was tough, but it ignited a fierce motivation within the team to achieve our championship goal.”
Record-Setting Performances
The women kicked off their victories Saturday with junior sprinter Maisha Atkinson setting a personal record of 11.90 seconds in the 100-meter dash, defeating Penn State’s Lauren Princz by a full tenth of a second. Additionally, first-year athlete Jana Ter Wee celebrated a strong outdoor collegiate debut by winning her first event, the shot put.
“This was my first-ever hammer meet, and I felt I executed my technique well,” Ter Wee expressed. “Our performance at the Penn Challenge has left me eager for this outdoor season.”
The Tigers also triumphed in the women’s 4×400 meters relay, with senior Adelaide Asante, sophomore Shantell Kwofie, senior Lauren Harris, and Atkinson finishing with a time of 3:50.5. Kwofie showcased her versatility by achieving a personal best in the javelin throw while securing second place in the 400-meter hurdles.
Opportunities for Growth
“Every meet leading up to the Heps is an opportunity for us to evolve and progress, both individually and as a team,” Eisenreich emphasized. “We’re excited about showcasing our strengths in the upcoming events.”
On the men’s side, junior Casey Helm illustrated his versatility, clinching victories in both the discus throw and shot put, with the latter marking a new personal record and one of the best performances nationwide. Helm earned the recognition of Ivy League Men’s Athlete of the Week for his outstanding performance.
“It felt amazing to be back outdoors competing,” Helm shared. “Overall, I was pleased with the weekend; it was an excellent start to the season.”
The Tigers dominated the men’s 100-meter dash, securing the top four spots: first-year Jadon Spain took first (10.53), sophomore Zach Della Rocca followed in second (10.68), sophomore Charles Sexton in third (10.77), and first-year Paul Kuhner in fourth (10.90).
“It was a joy to see Della Rocca and Charlie Sexton compete outdoors,” Vigilante stated. “Having missed the indoor season, it was gratifying to witness such a strong start to their season.”
Upcoming Competitions
Princeton continued their success by sweeping the top three positions in the men’s 200-meter dash: junior Easton Tan (21.71), sophomore Kavon Miller (21.80), and first-year Karl Dietz (22.02). Moreover, first-year Avery Keith narrowly outpaced his teammate, sophomore Christian Groendyk, by 0.24 seconds during the 3000 meters steeplechase.
“This is the inaugural meet of the year, and our goal is to build towards an exceptional performance at the Ivy League Championships,” Vigilante concluded. “While we had an excellent start, keeping everyone healthy and focused throughout the season is crucial, as everything culminates on that championship weekend.”
The Tigers will head to the Monmouth Season Opener this weekend, followed by hosting the Sam Howell Invitational on Saturday, April 5. Each meet will be a vital step towards potentially repeating the glorious achievement of 2011, when both teams clinched the triple crown.
