Hawks Head to Nationals with Title Aspirations in Utica

Utica, NY: The Harper College men's track and field team is set to compete at the NJCAA Division III National Championship in Utica, NY from May 8–10, hosted by Moraine Valley Community College at Thomas R. Proctor Park. The Hawks enter the meet ranked second nationally, aiming to bring home hardware after a season full of standout performances across all event groups.

Thursday: Big Start in the Field and Distance
Championship action begins Thursday morning with Rodolfo Martinez (/Buffalo Grove High School) and Vladyslav Nakhim (Hysiatyn, Ukraine/Husuatyn Vocational College of TNTU) in the hammer throw at 11:00 AM. Martinez enters ranked eighth nationally, while Nakhim holds the 16th spot. Shamar Allwood (/Hampshire High School) takes on triple jump at 1:30 PM, looking to improve on his fourth-place national ranking. In the pole vault, Stephen Osei (/Schaumburg High School) (ranked 2nd) and Lucas McMillan (South Elgin, IL/South Elgin High School) (6th) will compete at 2:30 PM, followed by Nakhim again in the javelin at 3:00 PM, where he is ranked ninth.

On the track, the 4x800m relay at 4:25 PM features the Hawks ranked second nationally, followed by 4x100m relay prelims at 4:55 PM with another second-place national seed. The night wraps with the 10,000m final at 6:10 PM, where Harper boasts a dominant trio: Jose Morales (/Schaumburg High School) (1st), Jerome Graessle (/Barrington High School) (3rd), and RJ Moniri (/Conant High School) (9th).

Friday: Prelim Day and Steeple Spotlight
Friday begins with the 3,000m steeplechase at 9:45 AM, featuring Jason Schmidt (/Hampshire High School) (2nd) and Michael Johnson (/Grant High School) (6th). In the high jump at 11:00 AM, Jaylen Calhoun (/Prospect High School) (4th) and Andrew Rashad (/Hoffman Estates High School) (13th) look to score big points. A full slate of prelim events follows:

1500m (1:20 PM): Ryan Golden (/Grant High School) (4th) and Owen Whelan (/Schaumburg High School) (5th)
400m (1:50 PM): Rashad (1st), Fortis Variano (/Hersey High School) (8th), and Anthony LoBue (/Prospect High School) (9th)
100m (2:20 PM): Ivan Rodriguez (/Hoffman Estates High School) (11th)
110m hurdles (2:50 PM): Prince Ellington () (1st) and Tyler Thymian (/Barrington High School) (7th)
800m (3:45 PM): Dakota White (/Streamwood High School) (4th), Connor Ariunbat (/Conant High School) (9th), Jason Schmidt (/Hampshire High School) (11th)
400m hurdles (4:15 PM): Nico Navarrete (16th), Joel Jones (/Hampshire High School) (20th), Justin Brown (/Guilford High School) (white card)
200m (4:45 PM): Rashad (6th), Rodriguez (8th), McMillan (19th)
4x400m relay prelims (5:25 PM): Hawks enter as the second-best team in the country

Saturday: Finals and a Shot at a Title
Finals day opens with long jump at 12:45 PM featuring Calhoun (4th), Ellington (6th), and Allwood (white card). Nakhim returns for discus at 1:00 PM, ranked 14th nationally.

The distance crew will close the meet in the 5,000m, where the Hawks hold the top three seeds: Whelan (1st), Morales (2nd), and Golden (3rd)—a potential point sweep that could tip the scales in Harper's title hopes.

With nation-leading athletes in sprints, jumps, vault, and distance, and deep relay squads on both ends, the Hawks are positioned for a major team finish. Keep an eye on the blue and white in Utica this weekend—they're ready to make a statement.

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Players Mentioned

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

Connor Ariunbat: Mid Dist.; Freshman

Jerome Graessle: Dist.; Freshman

Michael Johnson: Mid Dist.; Freshman

RJ Moniri: Freshman; 1500m, 5k

Ryan Golden: Mid Dist.; Freshman

Shamar Allwood: Jumps; Freshman

Justin Brown: Sprints; Freshman

Players Mentioned

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

Connor Ariunbat
: Freshman
: Mid Dist.

Jerome Graessle
: Freshman
: Dist.

Michael Johnson
: Freshman
: Mid Dist.

RJ Moniri
: Freshman; 1500m, 5k

Ryan Golden
: Freshman
: Mid Dist.

Shamar Allwood
: Freshman
: Jumps

Justin Brown
: Freshman
: Sprints