UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Rutgers track and field made its return to the indoor at the Nittany Lion Opener on Saturday, Jan. 16 in University Park, Pennsylvania.
 
In addition to the Scarlet Knights, the meet featured host Penn State and fellow Big Ten member Maryland. Rutgers kicked off the indoor season with eight first-place finishes and several other top performances.
 
"What a great feeling it was to get back out there and compete," said Bob Farrell, director of track & field and cross country. "We had some very strong opening performances; great efforts all around. We have some things we're going to clean up and get better.  We're looking forward to next week."

The Scarlet Knights shined in the field events, earning four victories, including three other finishes in the top-three. Perry Christie won the high jump, clearing a height of 2.11m (6' 11"), while A'Nan Bridgett took first in the long jump with a distance of 7.63m (25' 0.5"). In the triple jump, Tobi Tella led the field, recording a winning mark of 14.93m (48' 11.75"). A first-place finish was also recorded in the pole vault with Nico Morales clearing 4.72m (15' 5.75").
 
Rutgers went first and third in the 200-meter with Nadale Buntin winning the event in a time of 21.66, followed by Adebowale Smith in third in 22.72. Taj Burgess won the 400-meter in a heat exclusively comprised of Scarlet Knights. Burgess ran a time of 47.01 to outpace the group, followed by Chris Jenkins and Jameson Woodell.
 
The Scarlet Knights beat the Terrapins head-to-head in the 4x400-meter relay with Edwyn Pierre, Buntin, Boaz Madeus and Burgess clocking a time of 3:13.99. Individually, Madeus took third in the 600-meter with a time of 1:21.41, while Pierre finished third in the 60-meter hurdles with a time of 8.04.
 
Billy Hill and Patrick Walsh placed second and third, respectively in the mile with Hill posting a time of 4:16.20, followed by Walsh in 4:18.29.
 
On the women's side, Reanda Richards won the 600-meter with a time of 1:30.39. Erin Bertscha placed second in the mile run with a time of 5:15.98, while Ajae Alvarez-Tyler finished second in the 200-meter with a time of 25.13. Sydney Hawkins finished third in the 60-meter with a time of 7.72. Also recording a third-place finish was Sara Gutter in the 1,000-meter with a time of 3:02.91.
 
In the field events, the Scarlet Knights picked a trio of runner-up performances. Jasmine Van Note was second in the shot put with a throw of 14.93m (48' 11.75"), while Claudine Smith placed second in the triple jump, recording a distance of 12.23m (40' 1.5"). Courteney Campbell finished second overall and first among all collegiate athletes, clearing a height of 1.75m (5' 8.75").
 
The Scarlet Knights will return to University Park, Pennsylvania for the Penn State Invite on Saturday, Jan. 23.
 

MEN'S RESULTS

200M
1. Nadale Buntin – 21.66
3. Adebowale Smith – 22.72
 
400M
1. Taj Burgess – 47.01
2. Chris Jenkins – 49.54
3. Jameson Woodell – 52.53
 
600M
3. Boaz Madeus – 1:21.41
 
4x400M
1. Edwyn Pierre, Nadale Buntin, Boaz Madeus, Taj Burgess – 3:13.99
 
High Jump
1. Perry Christie – 2.11m (6' 11")
3. Semaj Willis – 2.03m (6' 8")
4. Qayyim Ali – 2.03m (6' 8")
5. A'Nan Bridgett – 2.03 (6' 8")
 
Long Jump
1. A'Nan Bridgett – 7.63m (25' 0.5")
3. Qayyim Ali – 7.16m (23' 6")
 
Triple Jump
1. Tobi Tella – 14.93m (48' 11.75")
2. Nadale Buntin – 14.78m (48' 6")
 
Pole Vault
1. Nico Morales – 4.72m (15' 5.75")
 
Shot Put
5. Kyle Lipscomb – 15.05m (49' 4.5")
 
Weighted Throw
2. Adam Hunt – 17.54m (57' 6.5")
 

WOMEN'S RESULTS

60M
3. Sydney Hawkins – 7.72
 
200M
2. Ajae Alvarez-Tyler – 25.13
 
600M
1. Reanda Richards –  1:30.39
 
1,000M
3. Sara Gutter – 3:02.91
 
Mile Run
2. Erin Bertscha – 5:15.98
 
3,000M
4. Olympia Martin – 9:57.72
 
Shot Put
2. Jasmine Van Note – 14.93m (48' 11.75")
5. Jessica Molina – 13.75m (45' 1.5")
 
Weighted Throw
5. Jessica Molina – 15.90m (52' 2")
 
Triple Jump
2. Claudine Smith – 12.23m (40' 1.5")
 
High Jump
2. Courteney Campbell – 1.75m (5' 8.75")
 
Pole Vault
2. Ka'Leila Abrille – 3.61m (11' 10")
 
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