Track Team makes the record books at USCAA Nationals
Vermont Tech track team recently participated in the USCAA National track invitational hosted by Albany College of Pharmacy at the University at Albany, NY track facility.
The men's team was represented by Johnny Johnson, Dominick Presendieu, Paul Banta, Christopher Lucas, Trey Martin, and Rupesh Gurung.
The highlight of the Men's performances was Rupesh Gurung's battle in the Pole Vault against Cole Martin of University of Maine Augusta. Both tied at 3.35M and Rupesh pulled off the victory in the tiebraker. As a result Rupesh Gurung is the first ever USCAA National Champion from Vermont Tech Track program.
The men's throwing team was led by Senior Christopher Lucas placing 9th in the Shot (PR of 9.46m) and 8th in the Discus (PR throw of 28.52m). Senior Trey Martin finished 12th in the Shot and 9th in the Discus (Both throws also PR throws of 8.72M and 27.68m). Freshman Johnny Johnson place 10th in the Javelin with a PR throw of 29.34m
In the Sprints, the Vermont Tech 4x100m team (Paul Banta, Dominick Presendieu, Rupesh Gurung, and Johnny Johnson) placed 7th overall. Freshman Johnny Johnson finished 11th in the 100m followed by Paul Banta and Dominick Presendieu. Dominick ran a PR time of 12.12 Johnny Johnson made the finals in the 100m with a 7th place prelim and 11.86 qualifying time.
The 200m was led for Vermont tech by 8th place finisher Paul Banta (Freshman), and 19th place finisher Dominick Presendieu with a PR time of 25.17
The 400m was run by Johnny Johnson who finished despite a slight hamstring pull.
Overall for the season our small post covid team did well. College records were set for the Men in the 100m (Paul Banta at 11.84), the 200m by Paul Banta at 24.04, the 400m by Paul Banta at 56.24, the shot by Christopher Lucas at 30'10.75" , and the 1.6kg Discus by Trey Martin. A national Title was awarded to Rupesh Gurung in the Pole Vault.
Traveling with the Vermont Tech women's team this year were Sophomore nursing student Shayla Hubacher and Junior Angela Lazzaro. Shayla represented the running program in the 800M finishing 10th overall and 18th overall in the 100m. Angela Lazzaro competed for the women's throws in the Shot put, finishing 9th overall with a personal record throw of 19' 8.5", the discus with a 7th place finish overall and the Javelin with an 8th place finish overall. Angela finishes the 2022 season with a school record in the Shot put ( 19'8.5") and the Javelin (68'8.5"), both of which are also school records.
We look forward to next year and competing indoors as our track program continues to grow.