ORLANDO – Rutgers track and field traveled to the campus of UCF to begin the 2023 outdoor season, competing in the Black and Gold Invite on Friday, March 17 and Saturday, March 18. The Scarlet Knights posted several standout finishes, including three event wins and 12 combined placements in the top three.

"It was a strong opener for us," said Bobby Farrell, director of track and field and cross country. "For the most part, the events we competed in were probably some of our best openers ever. Now we have to build on that."
 

EVENT WINS

The men's 4x100-meter relay earned a victory for the Scarlet Knights, running 40.08, while Joshua Mather and Kassidy Johnson each claimed an individual win for both the men's and women's squads. Mather took first in the javelin with a throw of 68.07m (223' 4") and Johnson ran 4:20.50 to finish first in the 1,500-meter.
 

TOP THREE FINISHES

The Scarlet Knights posted 12 total finishes in the top three with the men's squad accounting for nine of those performances.
 
Following the Mather win in the javelin was Steven Coponi who took second with a throw of 66.64m (218' 7"). Rutgers went 2-3 in the 1,500-meter as William Hare placed second in 3:48.73, followed by Gavin Richards in third in 3:49.22. Chris Serrao finished second in the 400-meter hurdles with a time of 51.40, while Nadale Buntin placed third in the 100-meter in 10.45.
 
The Scarlet Knights went 2-3 in another event with Konstantinos Bouzakis finishing second in the discus with a throw of 56.38m (184' 11") and Kyle Lipscomb in third with a distance of 55.60m (182' 5").
 
On the women's side, Alianna Eucker finished second in the javelin with a throw of 43.82m (143' 9"). In the shot put, Jasmine Van Note placed second with a mark of 15.56m (51' 0.75").
 

NEXT UP

The Scarlet Knights will head to Long Branch, New Jersey to compete in the Monmouth Open on Saturday, March 25.
 

BLACK & GOLD INVITE RESULTS

 
Men's Results
100M
3. Nadale Buntin                                                     10.45
 
400M Hurdles
2. Chris Serrao                                                         51.40
 
110M Hurdles
5. Sincere Robinson                                               14.10
 
1,500M
2. William Hare                                                       3:48.73
3. Gavin Richards                                                    3:49.22
 
Long Jump
5. Jabari Higgs-Salaam                                           7.45m (24' 5.5")
 
Javelin
1. Joshua Mather                                                    68.07m (223' 4")
2. Steven Coponi                                                    66.64m (218' 7")
 
Discus
2. Konstantinos Bouzakis                                      56.38m (184' 11")
3. Kyle Lipscomb                                                     55.60m (182' 5")
 
Hammer Throw
6. Kyle Lipscomb                                                     58.76m (192' 9")
 
Pole Vault
5. Nico Morales                                                      4.88m (16')
 
Women's Results
1,500M
1. Kassidy Johnson                                                 4:20.50
 
Long Jump
5. Kristina Tossas                                                    6.22m (20' 5")
6. Celine-Jada Brown                                                      6.11m (20' 0.5")
 
Javelin
3. Alianna Eucker                                                    43.82m (143' 9")
4. Olivia Norris                                                        43. 58m (142' 11")
 
Shot Put
2. Jasmine Van Note                                              15.56m (51' 0.75")
 
Discus
5. Jasmine Van Note                                              47.85m (157')
 
Pole Vault
4. Suzy Lacombe                                                     3.65m (11' 11.75")
 
Triple Jump
T7. Claudine Smith                                                 12.41m (40' 8.75")