Hawks Open Outdoor Season with Record-Breaking Performance at North Central

Naperville, IL: The Hawks kicked off their outdoor season in dominant fashion at the North Central First Chance Invitational, held at Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium in Naperville, IL. Competing over two days, the Hawks wasted no time setting the tone for the season, meeting the national qualifying standard in 14 events and recording over 20 personal bests. The highlight of the meet came from Alek Ledezma, who broke the Harper College outdoor 200m record with a blazing time of 21.69, surpassing a mark that had stood since 1983. His performance not only won the event but currently leads the nation.

Ledezma was a standout across multiple events, also clocking a swift 10.88 in the 100m and anchoring the Hawks' 400m relay team, which secured a national qualifying mark. He was joined in the 100m by Gianluca Manuel (11.45) and Tyler Anderson (11.55), a personal best for Anderson while Manuel also qualifying for nationals. In the 200m, Anderson (24.05) notched another personal best, while Manuel (23.53) came close to the qualifying mark. Jaylen Calhoun also impressed with a personal-best 22.83.

The 400m saw a trio of Hawks set personal bests, with Andrew Rashad (50.35) leading the way and posting the nation's fastest time. Joel Jones (51.51) and Fortis Variano (52.00) also met the national qualifying standard. In relay action, Harper's 400m relay met the qualifying mark, while the 1600m relay clocked in at 3:22.89.

In the mid-distance and distance events, Dakota White led the charge with a personal-best 1:58.00 in the 800m. Jason Schmidt had a breakout meet, qualifying for nationals in two events—posting a national-leading time of 10:12.96 in his first-ever steeplechase and running a personal-best 4:12.98 in the 1500m. In the 5k, Owen Whelan (16:07.22) and Ryan Golden (16:16.91) both met the qualifying standard, while Jerome Graessle (34:17.67) and Jose Morales (34:52.88) did the same in the 10k.

Hurdles saw Prince Ellington (15.87) and Tyler Thymian (17.18) both meet the national qualifying standard.

In the field events, Harper had strong performances across multiple disciplines. Lucas McMillan and Stephen Osei competed in the pole vault, while Calhoun and Rashad took on the high jump. Long jump featured Calhoun, Seth Cohen, Shamar Allwood, and Ellington, while Allwood also competed in the triple jump. In throws, Rodolfo Martinez and Vladyslav Nakhim represented the Hawks, with Nakhim hitting the national qualifying standard in the javelin.

With a stellar opening meet behind them, the Hawks now turn their attention to the Chicagoland Championships, hosted by Elmhurst, as they look to continue their momentum into the heart of the outdoor season.

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Players Mentioned

Tyler Anderson: Sprints; Sophomore

Alek Ledezma: Sophomore; 100m, 200m

Gianluca Manuel: Sophomore; 100m, 200m

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

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

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

Owen Whelan: Sophomore; 1500m, 5k

Dakota White: Sophomore; 800m, 1500m

Jerome Graessle: Dist.; Freshman

Ryan Golden: Mid Dist.; Freshman

Shamar Allwood: Jumps; Freshman

Jaylen Calhoun: Jumps, Sprints; Freshman

Players Mentioned

Tyler Anderson
: Sophomore
: Sprints

Alek Ledezma
: Sophomore; 100m, 200m

Gianluca Manuel
: Sophomore; 100m, 200m

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

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

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

Owen Whelan
: Sophomore; 1500m, 5k

Dakota White
: Sophomore; 800m, 1500m

Jerome Graessle
: Freshman
: Dist.

Ryan Golden
: Freshman
: Mid Dist.

Shamar Allwood
: Freshman
: Jumps

Jaylen Calhoun
: Freshman
: Jumps, Sprints