Track and Field | 12/10/2022 9:40:00 PM

JUPITER, Fla.- The Ave Maria University track teams competed for the first time in school history on Saturday, entering the Keiser University Winter Open alongside Sun Conference opponents Keiser, Southeastern, and Florida Memorial. The Gyrenes finished fourth among collegiate teams in both the men's and women's events, but earned the first victories in program history in several individual events. 

The Gyrene women claimed three victories, as Ave Maria finished atop the podium in the 800 meters, the 1600 meters, and the 4x400 relay. AMU's wins in the 800 and the 1600 were provided by Emma Perreault, who crossed the finish line at 2:37.21 in the 800 meter race, and 5:48.81 in the 1600 meter event. Perreault defeated Keiser's Philippine Rey by just over a half second in the 800, and did the same in the 1600 by more than two seconds. 

AMU's time in the 4x400 relay was 4:59.38, coming as the race's only entry. The initial school record was set by Perreault, Anne Scheck, Marcelina Powalka, and Caitlyn O'Brien. Abigail Rall and Regina Pirolli both added to the Gyrene team score in the 400 meters, while Powalka did so in the shot put, logging a throw of 7.77 meters in Ave Maria's first field event. 

Ave Maria also earned two victories on the men's side, placing first in the 1600 meters and the 4x400 meter relay. First Team All-Sun Conference cross country runner Joseph Perreault won the 1600 meters with a time of 4:43.26, finishing ahead of teammate and event runner-up Christopher Hermann. AMU's 4x400 team of Hermann, Perreault, Jonathan Steinrock, and Brunel Desinor ran unopposed, running the relay in 3:51.73.

Perreault and Hermann also earned points in the 800 meter race, placing third and fourth, respectively. The other scoring male was Brunel Desinor, who competed in highly-competitive 60 and 200 meter races. Desinor placed sixth in the 60 meter race with a time of 7.04 seconds, and placed sixth in the 200 at 22.31 seconds. 

Saturday's meet in Jupiter was the first of four scheduled indoor meets for the Gyrenes. The indoor schedule is slated to continue after the first of the year, when Ave Maria competes in the RADD Sports College Invitational in Gainesville. The event is scheduled for Thursday, January 19 and Friday, January 20, and is scheduled to be held at Alachua County Sports Complex at Celebration Pointe in Gainesville, Florida.