Giuseffi, Nakhim, and Pupillo Lead Hawks with Strong Performances in Naperville

Naperville, IL: The Hawks men's track and field team continued its steady rise through the indoor season with another strong performance at the Chicagoland Indoor Championships, held on February 14th at North Central College's Al B. Carius Track. The Hawks showed growth across all event groups, collecting personal bests, new additions to the program's all-time lists, and several nationally competitive marks.

In the throws, Vladyslav Nakhim and Jake Cody both recorded personal bests in the weight throw, with Nakhim's mark moving him up to third on Harper's Indoor Top 10 list. Both also competed in the shot put alongside Joaquin Aguilar, who continued to show steady progress in his first season.

The sprint group once again impressed with depth and consistency. Dominic Giuseffi maintained his early-season form, keeping his 60m time below the previous school record and continuing to run sub-23-second 200m races. Anthony Pupillo posted a major breakthrough, setting a personal best in the 200m and earning a spot on the Hawks' Indoor Top 10 list, while Ryan Cipra joined him with a PR of his own. Nicholas Navarrete showcased his range, competing in the DMR, 200m, and 4x400m, running strong legs in all three events. Fernando Velasquez and Joey Okulanis both notched personal bests in the 400m and also teamed up for the 4x400m relay. Tyler Thymian made his season debut in the 60m hurdles, coming within fractions of his PR.

The mid-distance and distance crew turned in another solid weekend. In the 800m, Nate Larsen, Sebastian Welc, and Ryan Golden all ran personal bests, with Welc and Golden doubling back after competing in the DMR earlier in the meet. Michael Johnson and Sean Burke (Elk Grove Village, IL/Conant High School) represented Harper in the mile, while Jerome Graessle and RJ Moniri raced in the 5k, rounding out the distance group's efforts.

In the field events, Cipra and Pupillo both improved their long jump marks from the previous week, while in the pole vault, Stephen Osei cleared 13'0" and Stefanos Nomikoudis achieved another indoor personal best.

The Hawks debuted their 4x400m relay this season, with Navarrete, Velasquez, Okulanis, and Pupillo combining to run 3:34.77—just .01 seconds shy of making Harper's Indoor Top 10 list. Harper also entered a distance medley relay, finishing in 10:54.65 with the lineup of Welc, Navarrete, Ethan Waddell, and Golden.

With each meet, the Hawks continue to raise their standard, setting themselves up for a strong finish to the indoor campaign. They return to action next week, again at North Central College, for the second day of Chicagoland competition on February 20th.

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Players Mentioned

Ryan Golden: 1500m / 5k / 10k; Sophomore; 1500 / 5k

Jerome Graessle: 5k / 10k; Sophomore; 5k, 10k

Michael Johnson: Steeple; Sophomore; Steeplechase

Nate Larsen: 800m / 1500m; Sophomore; 800m / 1500m

RJ Moniri: 5k / 10k; Sophomore; 5k / 10k

Vladyslav Nakhim: Throws; Sophomore; Shot Put / Hammer / Discus / Javelin

Nicholas Navarrete: 400mH; Sophomore; 200n /400m / 400m Hurdles

Joey Okulanis: 400m; Freshman; 200m / 400m

Stephen Osei: PV; Sophomore; Pole Vault

Tyler Thymian: 110mH; Sophomore; 110m Hurdles

Joaquin Aguilar: Throws; Freshman; Shot Put / Hammer / Discus / Javelin

Sean Burke: 1500m; Freshman; 1500m

Players Mentioned

Ryan Golden
: Sophomore; 1500 / 5k
: 1500m / 5k / 10k

Jerome Graessle
: Sophomore; 5k, 10k
: 5k / 10k

Michael Johnson
: Sophomore; Steeplechase
: Steeple

Nate Larsen
: Sophomore; 800m / 1500m
: 800m / 1500m

RJ Moniri
: Sophomore; 5k / 10k
: 5k / 10k

Vladyslav Nakhim
: Sophomore; Shot Put / Hammer / Discus / Javelin
: Throws

Nicholas Navarrete
: Sophomore; 200n /400m / 400m Hurdles
: 400mH

Joey Okulanis
: Freshman; 200m / 400m
: 400m

Stephen Osei
: Sophomore; Pole Vault
: PV

Tyler Thymian
: Sophomore; 110m Hurdles
: 110mH

Joaquin Aguilar
: Freshman; Shot Put / Hammer / Discus / Javelin
: Throws

Sean Burke
: Freshman; 1500m
: 1500m