Track to run at Princeton Elite Meet

One week ahead of the Heptagonal Conference Championships, Columbia track and field will visit the venue at which that meet is to be held—William Weaver Stadium—for the Princeton Elite Meet. The Lions will face league competition in the form of Princeton, Penn, and Yale in a last tune–up before the Ivy Heps.

Middle and long distance will be represented in the 800m, 1500m, and 3k. On the men’s side, senior Chris Hays—who has run 1:52.95 this season—should lead the way over one half mile. Senior William Ballenthin—currently ranked 11th in the conference with his 3:49.11—is the Lions’ top entry in the 1500m. The 3000m will feature six men vying for the Heps squad, each looking to have a big run. Juniors Dustin Martin and Paul Corcoran are names to watch.

For women, the 3k is likewise a stacked event with seven competitors—junior Hannah Kligman is expected to lead the way. Freshmen Camille Murphy and Erin Gillingham are Columbia’s top entries in the 1500m. Junior Samantha Lee will run the 800m solo.

Sprints will mostly run off-events with superstar Sharay Hale entered in the 200m along with fellow member of last week’s school record–breaking 4x400m, freshman Yamira Bell. Bell will compete in the open 400m as well, and will be joined by junior Laura Vogel. Sophomore Justin Holloman—also a member of a school-record relay at Penn last week, the men’s DMR—will run the 400m with senior Cory Benton, and the 200m as well. The men and women will each field two relay squads in the 4x400m.

On the field, freshmen women will stock the long and triple jumps with Uju Ofoche and Uzunma Udeh ranked No. 2 in their respective events with marks of 6.03m (19’ 9.5”) and 12.30m (40’ 4.25”). Freshman Nnenna Okwara will throw both hammer and shot put. Sophomore Monique Roberts—currently holding the No. 2 spot in the league with her 1.73 (5’ 8”)—will compete in the high jump. Sophomores Sarah Engle and Jason Marks, ranked No. 6 and 10 in the league respectively, will contend the pole vault.

Next up the Lions return to Princeton for the fiercely contested Outdoor Heptagonal Championships. Cornell is defending champion on the men’s side, Princeton for the women.