Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Patriot League Outdoor Championships
Aiden Tacker's Gold Medal Headlines Day One of Patriot League Outdoor Championships
5/15/2026 8:09:00 PM | Men's Track and Field
ANNAPOLIS, Md.- Aiden Tacker completed his journey from walk-on to league champion on Friday by winning the hammer throw. The Bison senior ended his collegiate tenure on the highest of notes, as Bucknell sits fourth with 23 points after the first day of the Patriot League Outdoor Championships.
Tacker delivered the capstone performance of his career by throwing 60.28m (197-9), a personal best and fifth in Bucknell history, to capture the gold medal. The winning mark arrived in the most opportune moment. He entered the sixth and final round solidly in second place behind Navy's Merrick Hocking.
The atmosphere and unknown terrain did not bother Bucknell's senior. He uncorked the clutch throw with a mighty grunt. Before the attempt, throws coach Ryan Protzman could be heard to say, "Don't let the story end here." Tacker added another chapter to sink the Midshipman. Hocking, shaken by the sudden drop to second, threw 56.75m (186-2), a respectable mark, but not close to dethroning the new hammer king.
"I felt great and had a great night of sleep," said Tacker. "I was a little nervous entering the last throw. The Navy thrower jumped me but as coach said, find a way to compete. I won for the little guys."
"How do you write the story any better?" said Protzman. "Going into your last meet and winning gold. Perfect ending."
Ethan Knight collected two qualifications for tomorrow's finals in the 110 and 400-meter hurdles. He won the 400-meter hurdle preliminaries with a time of 53.07. He placed seventh in the 110-meter version by running 14.72, a season's best mark.
Two more Bison sprinters obtained finals participation in the 400-meter dash. Ethan Fianco finished sixth, running a personal best 48.05 – seventh-best in Bucknell history. Preston Lubeski placed eighth, earning the final bid with his 48.58 time.
Two Bison scored in the pole vault. Lucas Williams finished sixth by clearing 15-5.75 but stalled out at 15-11.75. Michael Chernova rounded out the point scorers by placing eighth. The junior cleared 15-0.
Will Feddeler sits sixth in the decathlon after five events with 3338 points. Highest finishes were fourth in the 100-meter dash and high jump.Â
The 4x800-meter relay quartet of Carter Paul, Ethan Pratt-Perez, Hayden Singer, and Colin Ruether posted a seventh-place finish. The foursome ran for a time of 7:39.86.Â
Jason Lessieu notched eighth in the long jump. The sophomore's best mark of 22-9.25 arrived during his first attempt.
Colin Krause made the finals in the javelin throw and placed ninth. The rookie's best mark of 56.44m (185-2) occurred during his second chance.
Bucknell seeks to break into the top three tomorrow at the second day of the Patriot League Outdoor Championships.
