Men's Track and Field Travels to Holy Cross for PL Championships

Friday, May 3

Worcester, Mass.

10 a.m.

Bucknell University

Patriot League Championships

Photo by: Marc Hagemeier

Men's Track and Field Travels to Holy Cross for PL Championships

5/2/2019 11:26:00 AM | Men's Track and Field

LEWISBURG, Pa. – The Bucknell University men's track and field team will look to improve upon a third-place finish a year ago at the Patriot League Outdoor Championships when it travels to the campus of Holy Cross in Worcester, Mass. for the two-day meet.

SETTING THE SCENE
What: Patriot League Outdoor Championships
Where: Worcester, Mass.
When: Friday, May 3- Saturday, May 4
Watch: Patriot League Network (Saturday Only)

Meet Schedule
Live Results

Below is an event-by-event preview for the Bison for the upcoming meet.

100
Bobby Gablein currently holds the fastest time for the Bison this season after he clocked a 10.79 at the Maroon and Gold Invite on April 27. Gablein has not competed at the Patriot League Outdoor Championships in the individual sprints since 2017 (12th, 11.08), although he did help the 4x100 relay team to a fourth-place showing at the Outdoor Championships as a freshman that season. Also figuring to be in the mix in the 100 will be Jeff Brown, the Patriot League indoor champion in the 60 who finished 12th at last season's Patriot League Outdoor Championships, and 10th as a freshman in 2017. Brown also holds the 10th-fastest time in Bucknell history (10.73), and ran a season-best 10.85 at the Bison Outdoor Classic. Ryquan Harris could also be in the mix in the 100. Harris has the 24th-ranked time in the Patriot League (11.15), and is a key member of the 4x100 squad.
Bucknell's past PL champions: Justin Hicks (2013, 2011), Noel Powell (2003, 2002), David Gabriel (2001), Jim Bock (1992).

200
Billy Melchionni will look to figure prominently in the 200 after winning the event (20.99) and breaking the school-record at last season's Outdoor Championships. Melchionni was second in the indoor 200 (21.44) this season while breaking the school record in the process. Melchionni's season-best of 21.53 came at the Bison Outdoor Classic, and is the fifth-ranked time in the Patriot League this season. Brown could also be in the mix in the 200, as he holds the 15th-ranked time in the Patriot League, (22.01), although he has competed in the event just once in the outdoor season. Harris (22.26) also holds the 24th-ranked time in the 200 (22.26).
Bucknell's past PL champions: Billy Melchionni (2018), Justin Hicks (2013), Noel Powell (2002), David Gabriel (1999).

400
Melchionni has also been strong in the 400, as his season-best of 47.36 set at the Raleigh Relays is the third-best time in the Patriot League to date. Melchionni also posted a personal-best in the event in last season's Outdoor Championships as he clocked a 47.30 to win the event as well as post the second-fastest time in school history.   The Bison have several other solid marks in the 400 this season, including IC4A standards from Robert and Alex Dessoye. R. Dessoye moved into the tenth spot in the Bucknell record books with his 48.62 at the Bucknell Team Challenge, while A. Dessoye (48.72) and Steve Rizio (48.72) also posted IC4A standards. A. Dessoye also scored in last season's 400 at the Outdoor Championships (5th, 48.63), while Rizio was just off the mark to score (10th, 49.49).
Bucknell's past PL champions: Billy Melchionni (2018, 2018), Rob Arent (2011, 2010), Kerry Boyle (2008),

800
R. Dessoye holds the top time for the Orange and Blue in the 800 (1:51.82), and has posted personal-bests in the 800 and the 400 in back-to-back meets. R. Dessoye's time ranks fifth in the Patriot League to date, and is nearly five seconds faster than his time of 1:56.77 that he posted in last year's Patriot League Outdoor Championships. Also in the hunt in the 800 could be Scott Gulizio. Gulizio finished in third at last year's meet (1:52.27) and topped that mark at the Bison Outdoor Classic (1:51.96) this season. Sean Conway holds the 14th-ranked time in the Patriot League (1:53.79), while Jake Stupak (1:53.89), Owen Concaugh (1:54.23), Michael Gertz (1:54.78), and A. Dessoye (1:55.24) all have clocked top-25 times in the Patriot League this year.
Bucknell's past PL champions: Jordan Donaldson (2012, 2011), Ron Hess (2000, 1999), Brian Torres (1998).

1,500
Stupak has been the top performer for the Bison in the 1500 this season after he ran a time of 3:45.80 at the Bison Outdoor Classic in just his fifth time running the event in his career outdoors. Stupak improved by over two seconds from his time at the Colonial Relays the week prior, and he ranks second in the Patriot League, as well as fifth on Bucknell's top-10 list. Drew Dorflinger was ninth at last season's Patriot League Championships (3:52.55). Brendan McGill ranks 16th in the Patriot League (3:54.42).
Bucknell's past PL champions: Norbert Berenyi (1991).

5,000
Dorflinger posted the best time for a returning Bison athlete in the 5000 at last year's meet (19th, 15:28.71). Dorflinger has improved dramatically since that meet, as his time of 14:26.65 ranks fifth in the Patriot League, and he also holds the sixth-best time in school history in the event (14:18.15) that he set at the Bison Outdoor Classic in his freshman campaign in 2017. Brian Dengler (15th, 14:52.87) and Evan Minor (16th, 14:56.64) have also posted solid times this season.
Bucknell's past PL champions: Greg Costello (2001), Matt Deardorff (1992, 1991)

10,000
In the 10,000, Landin Delaney leads the way for the Bison after he clocked a time of 31:22.85 at the 2019 Colonial Relays to finish 24th and earn IC4A qualification in a tough field. The senior from Pittsburgh set the mark in just his third-ever time competing in the event, and first since April 22, 2017. His time ranks fifth in the Patriot League, and is followed by Evan Minor (6th, 32:01.56) and Ben Littman (7th, 32:18.50). Chad Sussman (9th, 32:46.66) also ranks in the top ten in the league.
Bucknell's past PL champions: Matt Forys (2007), Greg Costello (2002), Brad Wertz (2001), Scott Sehow (2000), Wlly Dietrich (1999), Chris Priestaf (1995), Frank Hamer (1991).

110 Hurdles
Freshman Jack Memoli will most likely lead the Bison in the 110 hurdles as his time of 15.14 ranks 11th in the Patriot League this season. Memoli has improved in each of the six meets he has competed in this season, lowering his time by .07 since beginning the outdoor season at the Penn Challenge on March 23. Memoli was 17th in the 60 hurdles at the Patriot League Indoor Championships. Matthew Barton could also look to compete in the 110 hurdles. Barton's time of 15.42 set at the Bison Outdoor Classic ranks 14th in the Patriot League.
Bucknell's past PL champions: Grant Reynolds (2016), Christian Lupica (2015, 2014), Rob Arent (2012).

400 Hurdles
Brendan Bodisch ranks 10th in the Patriot League in the 400 hurdles (54.28), with Barton (13th, 54.77) and Memoli (18th, 56.41) also with the potential to be in the mix. Bodisch, a sophomore from Lincroft, N.J., set his personal-best at the Bison Outdoor Classic, and has improved by over two seconds since he began the outdoor season at the Penn Challenge on March 23.
Bucknell's past PL champions: Christian Lupica (2015, 2014), Rob Arent (2012, 2011, 2010), Kevin MacLeod (2008, 2007), Rick Van Emburgh (1994, 1992)

3,000 Steeplechase
Connor McMenamin, who owns the fifth-fastest time in the Patriot League this season (9:11.65), will look to improve upon that time after finishing in second at the Outdoor Championships last season (9:09.79) as a freshman. McMenamin improved by nearly 14 seconds since first running the steeple at the Raleigh Relays at the end of March. Terryl Ferrell (9:29.71) ranks 13th in the Patriot League.
Bucknell's past PL champions: Ross Pirnie (2016), Andrew Huebner (2009), Dave Bronfenbrenner (2000, 1999), David Granger (1996), Steve Clarke (1995, 1994).

4x100 Relay
The 4x100 squad that has mainly been comprised of Ryquan Harris, Steve Rizio, Jeff Brown, and Billy Melchionni will look to improve upon its season best of 41.73 at the upcoming meet. The squad of Harris, Brown, A. Dessoye, and Melchionni earned five points last season with a fourth place finish (41.21). Bucknell's time ranks fourth in the Patriot League in 2019.
Bucknell's past PL champions: 2014, 2002, 1992

4x400 Relay
Bucknell's time of 3:13.61 ranks third in the Patriot League behind Navy and Army, with the squad of Steve Rizio, A. Dessoye, R. Dessoye, and Melchionni meeting the standard at the 2019 Colonial Relays. The Bison won the event last season (3:12.47) after Melchionni surged past leader Army down the final stretch for an incredible come-from-behind victory. The time ranks fourth in Bucknell history.
Bucknell's past PL champions: 2018, 2011, 1993

4x800 Relay
The Bison have not fielded a 4x800 relay team this outdoor season, with only Lehigh, American, and Colgate having participated in the event so far. Last year, the Bison finished in third (7:38.80) with Sean Conway, Nick Pacelli, R. Dessoye, and Scott Gulizio earning six points.
Bucknell's past PL champions: 2015, 2009, 1998

High Jump
Freshman Ian Lawrence is currently the highest-ranked high jumper for the Bison after clearing 6-3 ¼ at the Penn Challenge to open the season. Steve Bolger ranks 12th (6-1 ½).
Bucknell's past PL champions: Nicholas Lombardo (2017).

Long Jump
Micah Sims will look to score in the long jump after a personal-best of 23-4 3/4 at the Bucknell Team Challenge on April 20. The jump by Sims now ranks as the fifth-best in the Patriot League this season. Sims scored in the event at last season's Outdoor Championships, (7th, 22-10 ½), while Bolger (5th, 23-0 ¾) and Bodisch (6th, 23-0 ¾), and Reggie Harris also scored at the meet (22-5 ¾) as Bucknell took fifth through eighth.
Bucknell's past PL champions: Nicholas Lombardo (2017, 2016), Ray Holmes (2014), Kevin Keller (2013), Kyle Anthony (2010), Noel Powell (2003, 2002), James Hollins (2000), Karim Abdul-Matin (1996, 1995).

Triple Jump
Reggie Harris has had a strong season in the triple jump, and will look to improve upon a third-place finish in the event a season ago (47-6 ½). Harris ranks third in the Patriot League this season (48-9), which he set at the Penn Challenge to open the outdoor season. Harris moved into the top five in Bucknell history with the jump.
Bucknell's past PL champions: Ray Holmes (2014, 2013), Kyle Anthony (2010, 2009), James Hollins (2000), Karim Abdul-Matin (1994).

Pole Vault
Matt Fay will look to replicate his phenomenal Patriot League Indoor Championships with an equally as impressive outdoor meet to close his senior campaign. Fay broke the facility, meet, and Bucknell school records after clearing 17-4 1/2 in Annapolis to take home a gold medal. Fay has never won gold at the Outdoor Championships, but will head into the meet on a high note after becoming the first Bison to ever clear 17-0 outdoors at the Maroon and Gold Invite. He broke his own school record and will now look to become Bucknell's first outdoor champion in the pole vault since Drew Fitzgerald won the event in 2009. Fay's vault currently ranks first in the Patriot League. Nicholas Marino will also look to improve upon a fifth-place finish a year ago at the Outdoor Championships after he cleared 15-11. Marino's personal-best came on April 6, 2018 after he cleared 16-4 ¾.
Bucknell's past PL champions: Drew Fitzgerald (2009), David Mante (2007).

Shot Put
C.J. Falcioni, Hayden Lindsey, and Zach Ruiz rank 11th, 12th, and 13th, respectively on the Patriot League charts.   Falcioni took 13th in a tough field at the Bison Outdoor Classic, and posted his personal-best at the Bucknell Team Challenge on April 20 (50-8 ¼). Ruiz was 11th at the Outdoor Championships last season (46-7 ¼), while Lindsey was 12th (46-3 ½).
Bucknell's past PL champions: Timonthy Medlock (2009), Erik Steiler (1996, 1995), Paul Austin (1991)

Discus
Will Briggs will head into the meet with plenty of momentum after shattering the Bucknell school record on Saturday at the Maroon and Gold Invite (177-9). Briggs topped his season-best by over 20 feet, and his throw ranks fifth in the PL this season. Ruiz ranks ninth in the Patriot League (155-0), while Ninh Lam is 11th (148-5).
Bucknell's past PL champions: Luke Webster (2011), Jim Heizman (1996), Pete Gregory (1993), Paul Austin (1991).

Hammer Throw
C.J. Falcioni holds the sixth spot (185-5) after setting the personal-best at the Bison Outdoor Classic. Falcioni placed in the top 10 last season (164-9), and has finished in the top three in each of the past two meets heading into the Championships.
Bucknell's past PL champions: Leonard Joseph (2013, 2012, 2011), Tyler Hoffman (2007), Dan Frake (2006), Ryan Stairs (2001), Paul Austin (1991).

Javelin
Two sophomores, Jordan Montero and Aidan Krombolz, will look to improve upon fifth and sixth place finishes a year ago, respectively, in the javelin. Krombolz holds the fifth-highest mark in the PL (202-3), while Montero is sixth (197-9). Terry Hall could also look to steal points as his top throw of 183-1 ranks 10th in the Patriot League.
Bucknell's past PL champions: Ted Heitzman (2011), Steven Pierce (2010), Joshua Kaehler (2007, 2006), Dave Pomfret (2000, 1999, 1998), Blaine Fawcett (1993).

Decathlon
Aiden Brewer, Tyler Wukitsevits, and Franco Perinotti have all been mainstays in the decathlon this season, with Brewer holding the highest point total (5253). Brewer's total ranks fifth in the Patriot League this season. Ethan Dunne also scored in the event in 2018 (7th, 5467).
Bucknell's past PL champions: Andrew Powell (2012, 2010).