Track Set for Upstate Challenge

Saturday, January 21

Ithaca, NY

TBA

Syracuse University

Cornell Upstate Challenge

Kadejhia Sellers turned in a 24.39 in the 200-meter.

Photo by: Michael J. Okoniewski

1/20/2017 1:42:00 PM | Track and Field

The Syracuse track and field teams will continue their 2017 slate at the Cornell Upstate Challenge on Saturday.

For the sprinters and jumpers, it'll be their second meet of the new year, while the distance group will get its first taste of the track since returning from winter break.

Last Time Out:
- Tia Thevenin breaking a school record that had stood for nearly 17 years highlighted the Ramapo Opener. Her time of 8.32 was not only a personal best and good enough to sweep the 60-meter hurdles podium with Danielle Delgado (8.52) and Aviana Goode (8.87) but it also broke current Syracuse strength and conditioning coach Veronica Tearney's (then Dyer) school record of 8.34 seconds set in 2000. The mark was also tied by Opal Jones in 2002.
- In addition to Thevenin, David Gilstrap (60H), Goode (LJ), Ebhani Blackwood (TJ), Kadejhia Sellers (200), Kashif Miller (200), Justice Richardson (60) and Blackwood, Delgado Cheyenne Trigg and Sellers (4x400) also turned in wins at the Ramapo Opener.

Last Year's Upstate Challenge:
- At the 2016 Upstate Challenge, Freddie Crittenden III headlined the meet for the Orange, winning the 60-meter hurdles and setting his second top-10 time nationally in the event. The Orange senior will likely make his season debut next week and not compete this week.
- Thevenin is the defending champion in the women's 60-meter hurdles, where she put down a time of 8.46 seconds last year.
- 'Cuse alum Shaina Harrison won the 60-meter dash, with Sellers taking second in 7.54 seconds right behind Harrison last season.
- The Orange also picked up wins in the 800-meter run courtesy of Paul Lovell (1:56.04), and mile thanks to Mickey Burke (4:16.07).
- Burke's time in the mile paced seven members of the Orange to place in the top-nine, including Griff Molino, Nick Ryan, Joseph Kush, Kevin James, Juris Silenieks and Simon Smith.

Men's Meet Entries:
- 2016 All-American Adam Palamar is entered in the 800-meter run along with defending champion Lovell and Sam Somera.
- Another All-American, Joel Hubbard headlines the 1000-meter run entries, in his track debut following an All-American season in cross country. He'll be joined in the 1000 by freshman Aidan Tooker.
- 'Cuse will again look to dominate the mile, with Joseph Dragon, TJ Hornberger, James, Molino, Andy Paladino, Robert Hall and Declan Kottmeier all lined up to compete.
- Dominic Hockenbury, Simon Smith and Shawn Wilson will later race in the 3000.
- A staple of the Syracuse track and field program, the Orange will have a trio in the 60-meter hurdles, featuring David Gilstrap, Richard Floyd and Chevis Armstead.
- The 200-meters will feature just one competitor from 'Cuse in Kashif Miller
- LaZyrick Middlebrooks, Pascal Bastien and Kokeith Perry will compete in the 400.
- In jumps, Randall Johnson will take on both the high and long jumps, while Bastein competes in the triple jump.

Women's Meet Entries:
- The 60-meter dash is a packed field for the Orange, 2016 runner up at the meet Sellers will be joined by Justice Richardson, Victoria Parker, Danielle Delgado and Dasia Pressley.
- In the 400-meters, Shasche Allen, Bridget Curtin and Nia Gibson are all set to compete for Syracuse.
- Sydney Leiher (800) and Kelsey Potts (1000) are the lone representatives from SU at those respective distances while the mile is a deep field, featuring Leiher, Madelein Davison, Rachel Bonner, McKenzie Altmayer, Kayli Jones and Paige Stoner.
- The 3000-meters will feature Chelsie Pennello, Potts and Maggie Toczko from SU.
- Thevenin will attempt to defend her title in the 60-hurdles. She'll be joined in the field by Delgado and Aviana Goode.
- Goode will also compete in the high jump and long jump, where she'll be joined in the field by Regine Hunter, who will also triple jump in addition to the long jump.
- Richardson and Parker will also triple jump on Saturday.

About the Upstate Challenge:
- In addition to the Orange and Cornell, Army, Binghamton, Siena, Albany, Buffalo, Colgate, Canisius, Cortland, Ithaca and Williams will also compete.
- The Syracuse men (ranked fifth in the USTFCCCA Preseason Computer Rankings) will square off against another ranked squad on the men's side in the Big Red, which checked in at No. 15 in the poll.

Action gets underway Saturday at 9:15 a.m.