The Princeton men’s track and field team made waves during the storied Penn Relays in Philadelphia from April 23rd to 25th. Among the highlights was Brian Boler’s stunning victory in the steeplechase. He pulled away from Wisconsin’s Nick Gilles, finishing with a time of 8:40.29, just two seconds shy of his personal best. This achievement ranks him fourth in Princeton’s history for this event.
Sebastian Martinez also made a mark, securing 14th in the steeplechase with a time of 8:52.56. In the 5000m, Jack Gregorski and Avery Keith finished well, coming in at 13:53.59 and 13:56.21, respectively.
Kobeyeh Riley shone in the 400m hurdles, setting a personal best with a time of 52.47, landing him eighth on Princeton’s all-time leaderboard. The team also showcased their speed in the relays. The 4×400 team, featuring Jonathan York, Xavier Donaldson, Kavon Miller, and Joey Gant, achieved a solid 5th place finish in the prelims with a time of 3:05.24.
In the distance medley relay (DMR), a youthful squad comprising James Mcleay, Riley, Tsedeke Jakovics, and Weston Brown clocked in at 9:57.23, earning them 11th place.
In field events, Joey Goodenow shone in the discus championship, finishing seventh with a throw of 53.10m (174-2). Tyler Konopka also performed well, taking eighth in shot put with a throw of 17.79m (58-4.5). First-year athlete Anthony Liakhnovich excelled in the college division, claiming third in the discus with a personal best of 52.33m (171-8) and seventh in shot put with a throw of 17.00m (55-9.25).
Looking ahead, the Tigers will return to Weaver Stadium for the Larry Ellis Invitational next Friday and Saturday.
The energy at the Penn Relays is contagious, drawing teams from across the nation and creating a vibrant atmosphere for competitors and fans alike. This year, participation was notably high, with over 200 colleges and universities represented, highlighting the event’s importance in the athletic calendar. In recent years, track and field has gained greater visibility, particularly due to the rise of social media, which allows fans to follow their favorite athletes and teams more closely than ever before.
For more updates on collegiate athletics, you can check out the NCAA’s official site here.
