The Crusaders perform strong at Husky Challenge

Fennelly breaks heptathlon school record with a time of 4,789 points

STORRS, Conn.— The Holy Cross track and field teams had a strong performance at the Husky Challenge hosted by UConn on Thursday, Dec. 7 and Friday, Dec. 8. The Crusaders competed against the Huskies, UMass Amherst and UMass Lowell.

MEN'S MEET HIGHLIGHTS:

Junior Brian Fennelly broke the heptathlon school record with a total of 4,789 points to claim second place overall in the event. The record was previously set by Alexander Escada (4,629 points) on Feb. 2, 2019. Fennelly set a personal best in all seven events: 60m (7.17), long jump (6.53m), shot put (11.29m), high jump (1.72m), pole vault (3.60m), 60m hurdles (8.32), 1000m (2:53.74).
Freshman Ryan Hatem also competed in the heptathlon placing sixth with 4,392 points. Hatem set personal bests in five of the seven events: 60m (7.38), shot put (12.59m), high jump (1.90m), pole vaults (3.30m), 1000m (2:59.79).
Freshman Matthew Perkins came in second in the 300m with a time of 37.65, a personal best. He also had a personal best in the 60m hurdles with a time of 8.61.
Junior Josh Exantus also competed in the 300m with a time of 8.36 for a fourth place finish. Exantus earned a new personal best in the 60m hurdles with a time of 8.36 for fourth place.
Junior Stephen Joseph finished second in the 600m with a time of 1:23.78, a personal best. Freshman Luke Boothroyd also competed in the event with a time of 1:24.25 to take third place, a personal best.
Sophomore Ben Stone took sixth place in the 1000m with a time of 2:41.79, a new personal best.
Freshman Chandler Dicks had personal bests in the high jump (1.91m) where he took fifth and long jump (6.36m) where he came in eighth.
Freshman CJ Oltmer finished sixth in the shot put with a 12.17m personal best.
Freshman Michael LaFlamme marked 15.67m in the weight throw for a fifth place finish, a personal best.

WOMEN'S MEET HIGHLIGHTS:

Sophomore Celia Kulis claimed fourth place in the pentathlon with 3,214 points, just shy of her personal best. Kulis also came in fourth in the 60m hurdles with a time of 8.93.
The field events shined for the women with multiple personal bests coming in the weight throw, pole vault, shot put, and long jump.
Junior Maura Switzer came out with a strong 3.51m mark in the pole vault for third place.
Senior Maura Campbell marking a 14.72m weight throw to take fourth and a personal best. Sophomore Ester Mokonchu followed closely with a 14.61m throw for fifth place.
Freshman Gabby Paolella claimed second place with a 12.31m mark in the shot put, a personal best.
Junior Yoma Avbovbo had a personal best in the long jump with a 5.12m mark for seventh place.