• Redshirt-senior Christian Spaulding won the javelin throw with a mark of 66.10m (216-10)
• Senior Benji Szalai placed second in the 3000m steeplechase in a time of 9:14.12
• Freshman Alejandro Torres finished second out of 98 runners in the Bob Davidson 1500m run (3:58.57)
HIGH POINT, N.C. – High Point University redshirt-senior Christian Spaulding won his second javelin title in as many meets this season to lead the men’s track & field team on day one action at the 2016 VertKlasse Meeting Friday.
Spaulding’s first throw was his best, notching a mark of 66.10m (216-10) to win the event by more than two meters. Teammate and junior Drew Francoeur placed third in the javelin with a throw of 62.35m (204-6), just a meter off his personal best mark.
HPU’s prestigious annual home meet also featured a number of additional strong performances on the men’s side Friday.
Senior Benji Szalai made his 2016 3000m steeplechase debut Friday afternoon and put together a solid second place finish in a time of 9:14.12. He finished only behind HPU alum and 2008 Canadian Olympian Taylor Milne (’04), who posted a time of 8:36.89. Senior Cody Seymour made his collegiate debut in the steeplechase as well on Friday and finished 16th in 10:05.80.
In the Bob Davidson 1500m run, freshman Alejandro Torres powered through a bunched up fast heat to finish second out 98 runners in 3:58.57. Junior Vinny Todaro was victimized by a trip and fall midway through the race, but recovered to finish 25th (4:06.23). Senior Paul O’Donoghue placed 34th in 4:09.46 – his main event (800m) will be held tomorrow afternoon. Meanwhile freshman walk-on Jeff Mettler posted a collegiate best mark of 4:47.23.
In other throws action, senior Jim Wilson finished 21st in the shot put with a mark of 13.92m (45-8) and freshman Britton Mann placed 27th with a mark of 13.04m (42-9.5). Wilson just missed achieving a PR of over 15.00m, as he had a minor foot foul at the end of his third and final throw.
Wrapping up the night, Paddy Grandinali – who is redshirting for HPU this season – placed third in the 5000m run competing unattached. He posted a time of 14:52.86 in the event. The mark was more than three seconds faster than his official collegiate PR of 14:56.28 set at last season’s Big South Outdoor Championship.
HPU hosts the premier day of the 2016 VertKlasse Saturday beginning at 9 a.m. A live stream will be available on the Big South Network from 1-6 p.m.