Five More Qualify as Hawks Shine at ONU Tiger Open

Bourbonnais, IL: The Hawks men's track and field team turned in another strong performance at the ONU Tiger Open in Bourbonnais, adding five more national qualifiers while continuing to build momentum in the outdoor season. The meet saw a wave of personal bests, headlined by Andrew Rashad's blistering 48.97 in the 400m — the fastest time in the nation this season.

Sprints and Hurdles
The Hawks showed their sprinting depth again, fielding six athletes in both the 100m and 200m. In the 100m, Gianluca Manuel led the way with a personal best of 11.21, just edging out Ivan Rodriguez (11.26). Prince Ellington made his season debut in the event, running 11.41 to meet the national qualifying standard. Tyler Anderson (11.61), Connor Naskrent (11.76), and Devin Patel (11.76) also posted solid marks.

In the 200m, Lucas McMillan led Harper with a strong 22.63. Manuel (23.20) and Jaylen Calhoun (23.25) were right behind, while Naskrent (23.76), Patel (23.87), and Anderson (24.00) all added depth to the effort.

Rashad stole the spotlight in the 400m, running a national-leading 48.97 to set the tone for the event. Fortis Variano followed with a personal best of 51.01, while Joel Jones (51.19), Nicholas Navarrete (51.81), and Justin Brown (51.85) all recorded season or personal bests.

In the 110m hurdles, Ellington posted a personal best 15.68 to meet the national qualifying standard, while Tyler Thymian clocked 17.45.

Mid-Distance and Distance
Connor Ariunbat led a five-man Harper crew in the 800m, finishing in 2:01.40. Jason Schmidt (2:03.81), Edwin Amaro (2:13.81), Nate Larsen (2:18.42), and Yair Tinajero (2:21.36) followed.

In the 1500m, Ryan Golden and Dakota White both ran personal bests, finishing in 4:09.06 and 4:13.50 respectively. Michael Johnson (4:29.06) and RJ Moniri (4:39.18) also raced well.

Owen Whelan and Jose Morales broke through in the 5k, each setting personal bests with Whelan clocking 15:44.36 and Morales 15:46.88. Jerome Graessle rounded out the trio with a solid 16:26.44.

Field Events
In the jumps, Calhoun and Rashad both cleared 5' 10.75" in the high jump. Stephen Osei and McMillan vaulted 13' 7.25" and 13' 1.5" respectively. Ellington added a long jump mark of 21' 1.5" to his already strong day, while Shamar Allwood jumped 19' 0.75".

Throwers Vladyslav Nakhim and Rodolfo Martinez competed in three events apiece. Nakhim's top marks included 37' 5.25" in the shot put, 109' 6" in the discus, and 94' 11" in the hammer. Martinez threw 33' 2" (shot), 90' 1" (discus), and 93' 4" (hammer) in a solid all-around performance.

With more personal bests and national qualifiers, the Hawks continue to surge forward. They return to action next weekend at Wisconsin Lutheran.

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Players Mentioned

Edwin Amaro: Mid-Dist.; Sophomore

Tyler Anderson: Sprints; Sophomore

Gianluca Manuel: Sophomore; 100m, 200m

Lucas McMillan: Sophomore; Pole Vault, 100m, 200m, 400m

Devin Patel: Sophomore; 100m, 200m

Jason Schmidt: Sophomore; 800m, 1500m, Steeplechase

Fortis Variano: Sophomore; 200m, 400m, Relays

Owen Whelan: Sophomore; 1500m, 5k

Dakota White: Sophomore; 800m, 1500m

Connor Ariunbat: Mid Dist.; Freshman

Jerome Graessle: Dist.; Freshman

Michael Johnson: Mid Dist.; Freshman

Players Mentioned

Edwin Amaro
: Sophomore
: Mid-Dist.

Tyler Anderson
: Sophomore
: Sprints

Gianluca Manuel
: Sophomore; 100m, 200m

Lucas McMillan
: Sophomore; Pole Vault, 100m, 200m, 400m

Devin Patel
: Sophomore; 100m, 200m

Jason Schmidt
: Sophomore; 800m, 1500m, Steeplechase

Fortis Variano
: Sophomore; 200m, 400m, Relays

Owen Whelan
: Sophomore; 1500m, 5k

Dakota White
: Sophomore; 800m, 1500m

Connor Ariunbat
: Freshman
: Mid Dist.

Jerome Graessle
: Freshman
: Dist.

Michael Johnson
: Freshman
: Mid Dist.