Giuseffi Breaks Another Record as Hawks Impress at Chicago Collegiate Invitational

Palatine, IL: The Hawks men's track and field team continued its strong start to the 2026 indoor season with another round of standout performances at the Chicago Collegiate Invitational, held at the Dr. Conrad Worrill Track & Field Center at Gately Park on January 31st. The Hawks saw personal bests throughout the roster, a new school record, and multiple national qualifying marks as they continue to build momentum early in the campaign.

Freshman Dominic Giuseffi once again headlined the meet, setting his second school record of the season — this time in the 200m with a time of 22.53, surpassing Alek Ledezma's mark of 22.72 last year. Joining him in the event were Anthony Pupillo, Jaylen Calhoun, Nicholas Navarrete, and Ryan Cipra. All but Calhoun recorded indoor personal bests, with Pupillo meeting the national qualifying standard in 23.43.

Navarrete had a busy day, doubling in the 400m and 200m, and setting indoor personal bests in both at 53.89 and 23.88, respectively. He was joined in the 400m by Fernando Velasquez (/Conant High School) (55.41) and Joey Okulanis (/Conant High School) (57.34), both making solid early-season showings.

In the 800m, Ethan Waddell opened his season with a strong 2:05.87, followed closely by Nate Larsen. Sean Burke set an indoor personal best in the mile, continuing to progress in his first season.

The 3,000m proved to be one of the most impressive events of the day for Harper, as three runners broke into the program's All-Time Top 10 Indoor list. Ryan Golden, Sebastian Welc, and Michael Johnson all ran under 9:16, while Jerome Graessle and RJ Moniri added depth in a strong group effort.

In the field events, Stephen Osei led the way with a collegiate indoor best of 13' 6.5" in the pole vault, while Stefanos Nomikoudis cleared 11' 5.75" in his season debut. Shahwaiz Jan and Cipra competed in the long jump, with Jan also taking on the triple jump.

The throwers continued their early-season momentum as Vladyslav Nakhim, Jake Cody, and Joaquin Aguilar all competed in both the shot put and weight throw. Nakhim finished second overall in both events, setting a personal best in the weight throw, while Cody recorded a shot put PR and Aguilar added another weight throw best.

With another meet full of progress and personal records, the Hawks are steadily shaping into championship form. Harper returns to action on February 6th at Olivet Nazarene University for the Walt Cramer Open.

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Players Mentioned

Alek Ledezma: Sophomore; 100m, 200m

Jaylen Calhoun: Sophomore; High Jump / Long Jump / 100m / 200m

Ryan Golden: Sophomore; 1500 / 5k

Jerome Graessle: Sophomore; 5k, 10k

Michael Johnson: Sophomore; Steeplechase

Nate Larsen: Sophomore; 800m / 1500m

Shahwaiz Jan: Freshman

RJ Moniri: Sophomore

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

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

Joey Okulanis: Freshman; 200m / 400m

Stephen Osei: Sophomore; Pole Vault

Players Mentioned

Alek Ledezma
: Sophomore; 100m, 200m

Jaylen Calhoun
: Sophomore; High Jump / Long Jump / 100m / 200m

Ryan Golden
: Sophomore; 1500 / 5k

Jerome Graessle
: Sophomore; 5k, 10k

Michael Johnson
: Sophomore; Steeplechase

Nate Larsen
: Sophomore; 800m / 1500m

Shahwaiz Jan
: Freshman

RJ Moniri
: Sophomore

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

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

Joey Okulanis
: Freshman; 200m / 400m

Stephen Osei
: Sophomore; Pole Vault