On Saturday, April 20, 2019, both the Men’s and Women’s outdoor track and field teams competed in the 2019 Bobbi Palma UAlbany Spring Classic, hosted by the University of Albany. The Dutchmen and women had a solid effort going up against Division I and Division II competition.

The Dutchmen had three Liberty League Championship qualifiers and 15 top-10 finishes. David Bates ’21 had a good showing in the 800 meter run, crossing the line fifth in 1:59.51.

Three of the four runners to finish ahead of Bates were Division I runners from Albany and Siena College. Arden Kellner ’19 competed in the 3,000-meter steeplechase for the first time ever, finishing in 10:16.00 to place second overall and qualify for the Liberty League Championships.

Both Colin Keally ’20 and Colin Czerpak ’21 were top-10 finishers in the 400 meter dash. Keally crossed the line with a time of 52.5 seconds for an eighth place finish while Czerpak was close behind placing ninth with a time of 53.65 seconds. Dante Scott ’21 and Patrick Glennon ’20 both finished in the top-four of the triple jump, with Scott leaping 12.90 meters to place third and Glennon clearing 12.79 meters to take fourth.

Glennon’s leap also earned him a spot at the Liberty League Championships alongside Scott. Scott also performed well in the long jump, placing seventh, jumping 6.34 meters, alongside Andrew Fox ’22, who took 10 at 5.77 meters.

Alec Traktovenko ’22, Jack Sweeney ‘22 and Tony Campedelli ’20 all had top-10 throws in the javelin.

Traktovenko took fourth throwing 29.64 meters with Sweeney and Campedelli in fifth and sixth respectively. Campedelli also qualified for Liberty Leagues in the discus with an eighth-place toss of 36.14 meters.

Traktovenko had another top-10 finish in the shot put, placing ninth with a throw of 8.48 meters.

The Dutchwomen had six top-10 finishes over the weekend. Kaitlin Close ’19 highlighted the meet for the team with a collegiate-best time of 1:01.86 in the 400-meter dash, taking first in the race.

Samantha Miller ’19 took 10 in the 1,500 meters, clocking in with a time of 5:09.32. Stephany Heiberger ’22 took seventh in the 100 meter hurdles with a personal best time of 18.61 seconds.

Annie O’Donnell ’21 recorded a pair of top-10 finishes, placing ninth in the 200-meter dash, with a time of 30.59 seconds and taking eighth in the javelin throw with a top distance of 19.62 meters. Miller, Close and O’Donnell were also a part of the women’s 4 by 400 meter relay that finished in fourth place with a time of 4:44.13.

The Dutchmen and women will have their final competion before the Liberty League Championships next Saturday at the RPI Capital District Classic.