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Christian Castro MeSaj Closs Action
Senior Christian Castro and sophomore Me'Saj Closs

Warriors Win Six Races, Total 12 New PSAC Qualifiers at Kutztown’s Last Chance Meet

2/16/2018 12:00:00 AM

Full Results

KUTZTOWN, Pa. – Senior Christian Castro and sophomore Me'Saj Closs posted the No. 2 marks in program history in the 55-meter hurdles and weight throw, respectively, to lead East Stroudsburg University on a Friday night full of season-bests and new PSAC-qualifying marks at Kutztown's Last Chance Qualifier.

Castro earned one of six event wins for the Warriors, who also totaled 12 new PSAC qualifiers and six new season-bests above the conference standard. His preliminary time of 7.61 was 0.01 quicker than his previous PR, and he lowered that down to 7.54 while cruising to a victory in the final.

Castro was only 0.03 off Rusty Smith's school record of 7.51 established 10 years ago in 2008. Junior Mike Matrisciano, meanwhile, was the No. 2 qualifier in the preliminary round after tying his season-best with a time of 8.11.

Closs placed second out of 19 competitors in the weight throw with a top toss of 51-7 1/4. That is five inches ahead of her previous PR which already ranked second in ESU history; she is under four feet back of Elizabeth Madden's school record of 55-3 1/2 set in 2014. Sophomore Sam Giangrasso (46-7 1/4), sophomore Alexis Schuldes (44-11 3/4) and sophomore Barbara Grossov (43-7) also placed in the top 10 above the PSAC standard, with Schuldes' toss a new season best.

Of ESU's new PSAC efforts, five were by first-time qualifiers this season. Freshman Mike Simonson booked his spot at the conference meet in a pair of events, as he placed second in the 200m (22.99) and fourth in the 55m dash final (6.69). Simonson advanced into that final as the last qualifier in the preliminary round (6.78), and he took full advantage of his second chance to get under the PSAC standard of 6.72.

The Warriors had the top eight finishers in the men's mile race, and the top two were new PSAC qualifiers. Senior Zack Krieger took first after crossing the line in 4:30.10. He just edged out sophomore teammate Matt Lloyd, who posted a mark of 4:30.17.

Other first-time qualifiers on Friday were freshman Nick Fanelle, who won the 800m with a time of 1:59.85, and freshman Gabriella Ewulu in the shot put (36-5 3/4) and weight throw (42-5 1/4).

ESU had four runners in the women's 200m place at or below the PSAC standard of 26.81, and three were new qualifiers in the event. Junior Aspen Gaita was first in the field of 20 runners; her time of 26.02 is the fastest by a Warrior woman in the race this season. She was followed closely by junior Marissa Flim in second place (26.30). Other new qualifiers were sophomore Sarah Klag (26.77) and sophomore Tiana Webster (26.81).

Junior Shante Dorin had already booked her PSAC spot in the 800m, and she added a qualifying time in the 400m tonight after beating out 11 other runners with a time of 1:00.94. Sophomore Noah Lockwood also added a second event to his PSAC Championship schedule. A previous qualifier in the shot put, he registered a PSAC throw of 46-10 3/4 in the weight throw.

Sophomore Tatiana Williams moved up to No. 8 all-time in program history in the triple jump, as she placed second with a top effort of 36-4 1/4. Sophomore Darnell Randall also posted a season-best while taking second in the long jump (22-5 3/4), and he matched his season best while finishing second in the high jump (6-4 3/4).

Dominic Walton was just off his ESU freshman record of 51-9 in the shot put, but his top toss of 51-7 1/4 was still good enough for second place in a field of 15 throwers.

ESU had the only three runners in tonight's men's 500m race, with freshman Jordan Cruise beating out his teammates after crossing the line in 1:09.37.

The Warriors can now look ahead to this year's PSAC Indoor Championships, which will take place at Edinboro next Saturday and Sunday. A full conference meet preview will be available next week.
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