Shippensburg University began its outdoor track-and-field season Friday at the Fred Hardy Invitational at the University of Richmond with six NCAA provisional-qualifying throws by the men.
The javelin was a highly anticipated event with multiple talented Raiders competing, and they delivered. Leading the way was Derek Nothstein who had a throw of 204 feet, 10 inches, to place first in the event. Nothstein is trying to make it four appearances in a row at the NCAA Championships. Right behind him in third place, was Alec Stimson with a throw of 193 feet, 1 inch.
Ben Hurda also impressed with a fourth-place finish with a javelin throw of 192 feet, 7 inches. Both Stimson and Hurda made their collegiate debuts at the meet. All three men had NCAA provisional-qualifying throws.
The hammer throw is another strength for the team, especially for Caleb Bartlett. Bartlett posted an NCAA provisional-qualifying throw of 188 feet, 2 inches, to finish in first. Bryan Pearson also performed well with a throw of 173 feet, 5 inches, to place third in the event.
The final throwing event was the shot put in which the Raiders performed well again. Alec Rideout finished in second with a NCAA provisional-qualifying throw of 56 feet, 8 inches. Pearson also impressed with a third-place finish with a throw of 55 feet, 4 3/4 inches.
Alex Balla competed in the 10K race and finished first with a time of 32:44.45. The time was a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) qualifier.
Dominic Stroh finished second in the 1,500 meters with a time of 3:55, less than one second away from his collegiate best.
The men followed up their strong performance Friday with another great day at the track and in the field Saturday. Multiple Raiders earned PSAC qualifiers in their respective events.
SU took over the 3K race, earning the Top 4 finishes. Harrison Schettler took first with a time of 8:35.97; Calvin Conrad-Kline took second with a time of 8:38.07; Connor Holm took third with a time of 8:58.97; and Stroh took fourth with a time of 9:00.04.
The Raiders also performed well in the 4X100 relay race. Austin Shupp, Dreux Stamford, Calvin Dennis and Chris Craig — a young team of all sophomores — took first with a time of 41.75 seconds.
Pearson and Rideout were back in action as well Saturday, competing in the discus event. They both earned PSAC qualifiers with Pearson finishing second and Rideout, fifth. Pearson’s first throw traveled 161 feet, while Rideout had a top throw of 152 feet, 8 inches.
The Raiders will return to action next weekend at the College of William & Mary and Millersville University.
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