NEW YORK, N.Y. – Rutgers track and field closed out a solid weekend at the Scarlet Knight Open, held February 2-3 at The Armory in New York City. The Scarlet Knights produced 12 top-10 all-time program results and 12 event titles during the two-day meet.
"It was a solid weekend overall," said
Bobby Farrell, director of track & field and cross country. "We had a lot of PRs and a few breakout performances. We are never satisfied because the potential and ceiling for this team is so high. We need to stay locked in and keep working."
Rutgers was dominant in the sprint events at the open, with
Jada Ellis claiming the women's 60-meter title with a time of 7.52 – good for seventh all-time in school history.
Cynthia Boakye won the women's 200-meter with a time of 24.51, while
Chris Serrao finished second in the men's 60-meter with a result of 6.87 – the 10
th-fastest time in the program record book.
The Scarlet Knights also impressed in the 600-meter.
Micah Wood and
Gabriel Rodriguez finished 1-2 in the men's 600-meter, with Wood's winning time of 1:19.08 the fourth fastest in school history and Rodriguez' 1:19.54 No. 6 all-time. On the women's side,
Shelby Whetstone finished third with the third-fastest time in school history at 1:32.17.
Four other Scarlet Knights collected top-10 program results in running events.
Brian Pedretti finished first in the 1 mile with the ninth-fastest program time of 4:10.10.
Liam Tilton clocked the third-fastest program time in the 3,000-meter at 8:14.88, with
Jack Moran also producing a top-10 time in the event with a 8:28.22.
Alec Snell logged a 2:27.02 in the 1,000-meter to finish third in the event and eighth all time at Rutgers.
Dylan Powell produced a meet-best mark of 17.75m (58' 3.00") in the weight throw, the sixth-best throw in school history.
Alexis Willis finished second in the long jump with the sixth-best program leap of 6.06m (19' 19.75).
Chloe Timberg and
Kevin O'Sullivan won the women's and men's pole vault, while
Tey'ana Ames and
Andrew Krall placed first in the women's and men's shot put.
In relay action, Boakye,
Celine-Jada Brown,
Kameron Scille and
Alexandria Yarbrough captured the 4x400-meter relay with a time of 3:46.95. Brown also produced 3,483 points in the indoor pentathlon – good for third all-time. Her outing included wins in both the pentathlon 800-meter (2:31.96) and the pentathlon long jump (6.01/19' 8.75").
On Saturday, Rutgers also honored members of its 2024 senior class with a ceremony at the Armory.
"It is always great to host a meet at the Armory," Farrell said. "We had a great alumni event and were able to celebrate our seniors. It was a great weekend."
Top-10 All-time Program Results
Women's Results
60M
1.
Jada Ellis 7.52 – No. 7 all-time
600M
3.
Shelby Whetstone 1:32.17 – No. 3 all-time
Long Jump
2.
Alexis Willis 6.06m (19' 10.75) – No. 6 all-time
Indoor Pentathlon
1. Celine Brown 3483 points – No. 3 all-time
Men's Results
60M
2.
Chris Serrao 6.87 – No. 10 all-time
600M
1.
Micah Wood 1:19.08 – No. 4 all-time
2.
Gabriel Rodriguez 1:19.54 – No. 6 all-time
1000M
3.
Alec Snell 2:27.02 – No. 8 all-time
1 Mile
1.
Brian Pedretti 4:10.10 – No. 9 all-time
3000M
7.
Liam Tilton 8:14.88 – No. 3 all-time
10.
Jack Moran 8:28.22 – No. 10 all-time
Weight Throw
1.
Dylan Powell 17.75m (58' 3.00") – No. 6 all-time
Event Champions
Individual
Women 60m
1.
Jada Ellis: 6.82
Women 200M
1.
Cynthia Boakye: 24.51
Men 60M Hurdles
1.
Chris Serrao: 7.85
Men 600M
1.
Micah Wood: 1:19.08
Men 1 Mile
1.
Brian Pedretti: 4:10.10
Men Pole Vault
1.
Kevin O'Sullivan: 5.13m (16' 10.00")
Women Pole Vault
1.
Chloe Timberg: 4.45m (14' 07.25")
Men Shot Put
1.
Andrew Krall: 14.58m (47' 10.00")
Women Shot Put
1.
Tey'ana Ames: 13.74m (45' 1.00")
Men Weight Throw
1.
Dylan Powell: 17.75m (58' 3.00")
Relay
Women 4x400
1. Rutgers (Boakye, Scille, Yarbrough, Brown): 3:46.95
Combined
Women Indoor Pentathlon
1.
Celine-Jada Brown: 3,483 points
