GENEVA, Ohio – Rutgers track and field captured gold in three events on Friday, securing a sweep in the men's and women's long jump and first place in the women's pole vault on day one of the 2023 Big Ten Championships. Chloe Timberg established a Big Ten Championship and school record in the pole vault, while Sincere Robinson and Kristina Tossas took top honors in the long jump.
 

BIG TEN CHAMPIONS

Timberg, reigning silver medalist entering the 2023 meet, solidified herself as the best pole vaulter in both Rutgers and Big Ten history with her performance at the championships. She out jumped the competition by nearly a foot to earn the top spot in the event and secure the Big Ten title with a height of 4.46m (14' 7.5"). This was the third-straight medal for Timberg who took home indoor silver and outdoor gold as a freshman.
 
Robinson delivered the winning jump in his first approach of the day as he recorded a leap of 7.77m (25' 6"), keeping the indoor championship in Piscataway for the second-straight year after teammate A'nan Bridgett won the title in 2022. This was the second-consecutive podium finish for Robinson as he improved on his performance from a year ago when he placed sixth in the indoor as a freshman.
 
Tossas also captured the Big Ten Championship on her first jump as she recorded a personal best mark of 6.33m (20' 9.25"). She left the rest of the field chasing her performance and ultimately held on for the win to cap a sweep of the men's and women's long jump for the Scarlet Knights.
 

ADVANCING TO THE FINALS

Nadale Buntin advanced to the finals of the 60 and 200-meter dash. He tied the school record in the first round of the 60-meter, running 6.74 to move on to day two. Buntin also ran a qualifying time of 21.15.
 
Also posting a school record was Chris Serrao in the 60-meter hurdles as he clocked 7.84 to advance to the Saturday final. Justin Cornetta will represent the distance runners as he advanced to the mile finals with a first-round qualifying time of 4:13.03.
 
On the women's side, Dennisha Page advanced to the finals of the 60-meter after running 7.39 in the first round. Kassidy Johnson ran 2:06.68 in the 800-meter to move onto the Saturday final, while Alex Carlson run in the mile final after clocking 4:50.09 in the first round.
 

SCHOOL RECORD

In addition to the school record performances from Timberg in the pole vault, Buntin and Serrao on the track, Rutgers also set a mark in the men's weight throw. Adam Hunt hit a distance of 20.11m (65' 11.75"), shattering the previous school record of 19.81m (65') which was set in 2015.
 

SATURDAY'S EVENTS

In addition to the previous qualifiers from Friday into the Saturday finals, Rutgers will look to earn points from the following events:
 
Men's Events
High Jump: Robinson, Foluso Adedeji
3,000M: Cornetta, Brian Pedretti, Liam Tilton, Wiliam Hare
4x400M Relay
 
Women's Events
Triple Jump: Claudine Smith, Faith Bethea
Shot Put: Jasmine Van Note, Alicia Campbell
4x400M Relay
 

CHAMPIONSHIP - DAY ONE

 
Men's Results
Long Jump
1. Sincere Robinson                           7.77m (25' 6")
 
60M (First Round)
Nadale Buntin                                      6.74 – SCHOOL RECORD
 
60M Hurdles (First Round)
Chris Serrao                                         7.84 – SCHOOL RECORD
 
Weight Throw
9. Adam Hunt                                      20.11m (65' 11.75") – SCHOOL RECORD
 
Women's Results
Pole Vault
1. Chloe Timberg                                4.46m (14' 7.5") – SCHOOL/BIG TEN CHAMPIONSHIP RECORD
 
Long Jump
1. Kristina Tossas                                6.33m (20' 9.25")