ALBANY, N.Y. – Divided amongst themselves, with rosters selected by the team captains, the Purple team swept all three categories, winning the men’s, women’s, and combined competitions in the 20th Annual RACC Classic, the first competition for the indoor track season. The Purple team combined to score 138 points to Gold’s 115. On the men’s side, Purple earned a 20-point victory over Gold, 74.5 to 54.5. The women’s Purple team narrowly edged their Gold competitors 63.5 to 60.5.
Four facility records were set during the competition, which was held in the University at Albany’s SEFCU Arena. Junior Alexander Bowen, Gold team captain, broke his own record in the high jump, recording a mark of 7’-2.5”. The mark less than one inch off his career best. The women were responsible for setting the remaining records, with junior Veleisha Walker throwing 154’ in the turbo javelin for the Gold team, improving on the previous record by 20 feet. Senior Rochelle Reid of the Purple team set a new record in the high jump with a mark of 5’-8.75”. Reid’s jump was the highest ever for a women, indoors or outdoors, in UAlbany history. Though the jump will be recorded as an all-time best, it will not count for a school record, as the RACC Classic did not feature outside competition. The women’s 300 saw the facility record broken twice in successive races. Senior Jillian Haynes of the Gold team broke the record she set a year ago in the first heat with a 40.79. Not to be outdone, sophomore Kyle Plante of the Purple team covered the distance in 40.76, edging Haynes and taking the victory and the facility record for herself.
Haynes took the 55, running 7.14, just one-hundredth of a second behind her own facility record. Junior Kamilah Williams won the 500 for Gold, in 1:18.33. Sophomore Dominique Claudio won the 800 for the Gold Team in 2:21.31, missing the facility record by one-tenth of a second. Junior Michelle Anthony won the 55 hurdles for Gold, in 8.34.
Moving to the women’s field events, senior Kerri Dutton won the pole vault for Gold with a mark of 10’-6”. Purple claimed victory in the long jump, with sophomore Paige Vadnais recording a mark of 17’-5.5”. Senior Pony Sokiri was the only competitor in the triple jump, granting Gold the victory with a mark of 36’-9.75”. Junior Sam Kosa won the shot put for the Gold team, throwing 43’-9”. Walker, after winning the turbo javelin, doubled up with a victory in the discus, throwing 127’. Finally, purple claimed victory in the weight throw, with junior Janice Johnson throwing 45’-7.75”.
For the men, senior Kareem Morris of the Purple team took the 55 in 6.41, narrowly missing the facility record by two-hundredths of a second. Sophomore Jeremiah Obeng-Agyapong took the 300 for Purple in 36.47. Sophomore Taariq Jones won the 500 for Purple in 1:07.14, giving Purple a sweep of the sprint events. Gold claimed victory in the 800, with senior Larry Ramirez running 2:02.75. Purple captain, senior Matt Catera, won the 55 hurdles in 7.80.
Two purple athletes tied for first in the pole vault. Senior Alfonso Scannapieco and freshman Nate Hiett both jumped 15’-5.75”, with Scannapieco taking the victory with fewer failed attempts. Freshman Youseff Benzamia won the long jump for Gold with a mark of 22’-7”. Junior Stanley De La Cruz took the triple jump for Purple, jumping 44’-10.75”. Team Purple’s other captain, senior Abel Gilet, won the shot put with a mark of 45’-8”. Senior Simon Cleary won the discus for Purple, throwing 139’. Freshman Phil Udeogu of the Gold team claimed victory in the turbo javelin with a mark of 160’-9”, and Gold freshman teammate Jonathan Eustache won the weight throw in 50’-2”.
In addition to the roster athletes, the competition fielded alumni and tryout athletes. Two women and eight men competed to try and earn spots on the roster. Two men’s alumni also competed, including Junior Burnett, who ran the fastest 55 of the day at 6.40.
The RACC Classic was the first opportunity the track and field athletes had to compete since their training began in August. The first real competition of the season will take place January 11 at the Penn State Relays. UAlbany will host a meet at the Armory in New York City on January 17.
