GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The Ave Maria track team competed in their second competition in school history January 19-20 in the RADD Sports College Invitational. The Gyrenes had a great experience at the event, which was hosted in a brand-new facility just outside Gainesville, getting to compete with some high-profile talent and setting some personal records for themselves.
The highlight of the meet was the performance from the AMU shot-put crew. Six men represented the Gyrenes and three threw over 10 meters led by Tobio Scienzo with a 10.39m. Gavin Lepore and Dominic Morgan also threw in double digits for Ave Maria.
Marcelina Powalka broke her own school record in the women's shot put with a 7.85m throw.
In other field events, Lucia Zvonar led the way for the Gyrene jumpers over the two days with personal best jumps in the triple jump, 9.70 m, and in the long jump, 4.44 m.
After stepping away from the event for a year, Brock Perkins showed there was no rust in his routine in the pole vault with a 3.30 m clearance.
On the track, Adam Paga, Sam Paga, and Zach Dale all finished in the top 10 of Sun Conference runners in the men's 600-meter run. Adam Paga led the way for the three, finishing the race in 1:25 with the other two crossing the finish line at 1:29.
Adam Paga also placed really well in the men's 800-meter run, finishing with a 1:59 and second in the Conference.
Tess Long was second second overall in the women's 1000-meter after winning her section with a 3:06. She also won her heat of the women's 800, posting a 2:19 which is a personal indoor best. Both are the top times in the current Sun Conference rankings.
Her sister, Carol Long, ran a 1:48 and sits in fourth place just ahead of another Gyrene, Abigail Rall, who ran a 1:49 and is fifth in TSC rankings. Rall and Carol Long also ran well in the 400-meter run, both finishing in the top 10 SUN ranking with a 1:04 and 1:05 respectively.
Joe Perrault logged personal bests in the 1000-meter run and the mile in Gainesville, finishing both races in 2:44 and 4:38 respectively. Perrault is currently fourth in the Sun Conference rankings for both races.
Lastly, Chris Hermann ran a personal best in the 3000-meter, crossing the finish line in just 9:45.
The Gyrenes have one more indoor event, the Sun Conference Championships February 6 in Birmingham, Alabama, before transitioning to the outdoor season.
