Indoor track and field heads to Fastrack National Invite

The best of our Muhlenberg track and field team will be heading to Staten Island this Friday Feb. 10 to compete in the Fastrack National Invite.

All of the meets throughout the winter season are non-scoring, but if there were scores, the Mules would be among the top teams. The season started with the Lehigh University Opener on Dec. 2, 2016, in which Anthony Ware broke his own record by .04 seconds in the 60 meters with a time of 6.92 seconds. The women also displayed an impressive performance on the hurdles.

Later in the season on Jan. 27, the team hosted the Muhlenberg Invitational. The women’s team dominated, coming first in seven different events including 800 meters (Victoria Cabellos 2:31.60), the mile (Santina Zouras 5:32.83), 55 meter hurdles (Rashida Haye 9.22), 4 X 800 meters (Kelly Travitz, Lindsay Muhs, Stephanie Ng, and Kimberly McCarty 11:08.25), high jump (Alison Stouffer 4-9 3⁄4), long jump (Gracie Duah 15-2 1⁄4), and shot put (Michelle Gaykowski 36-10 1⁄4). The men’s team also found some success in the meet, as teammates placed within the top five spots in each compe- tition with a first place in the 4 X 400 (Jake Waleski, Christopher Dasaro, Kem Montina, and Mike Bessette 3:37.96) and in pole vault (Alex Russo 12-6).

The last meet before the Fastrack National Invite took place on Feb. 4 at the Frank Colden Invitational. Emily Davidson put on a spectacular show, coming in second in the 800 meter with a time of 2:25.32. Fellow teammate Jaryd Flank also had a fantastic meet coming in first in 3,000 meter with a time of 8:35.13, making him an ECAC qualifier. It is no surprise that both Davidson and Flank are competing tomorrow on Staten Island.

In order to be considered, the coaches of the two teams must submit entries to the Fastrack National Invite on their behalf, detailing the athlete’s events and times in hopes they qualify for the meet. If the athlete has recorded times that are fast enough, they are essentially guaranteed a spot in the meet, which is what happened for Davidson and Flank.

Davidson, a mid-distance runner and captain of the women’s team, is incredibly excited to compete at such a high level, “It is some of the best, if not the best competition we get to compete against with the exception of the conference meet and any post season meets.” The competition will take place at the Ocean Breeze Athletic complex where most teams will be from Division I schools with a few teams from Division II and Division III (Muhlenberg being one) schools.

It wasn’t an easy road for Davidson, who despite injuries earlier in the year, came back stronger than before. “The highlight of my season so far has been successfully rehabbing from injury in between cross country and track seasons and opening up my season with an ECAC qualifying mile time. It built up my confidence after being out for about a month injured, and gave me high hopes for this season.”

Typically eight to twelve Muhlenberg teammates compete in this meet. There are five returning upperclassmen, Davison, Flank, Anthony Ware, Anthony Calontoni, and Jamie Pacillo. This is a new meet and Muhlenberg hopes to bing more and more athletes each year to compete.

Flank, a distance runner and captain of the men’s team, has had a fantastic three years on the track and field team. He has set three school records: indoor 3,000 meter with a time of 8:31.42, indoor 5,000 meter with a time of 14:45.75, and outdoor steeplechase with a time of 9:04.04. Flank has earned his spot in the Fastrack National Invite, as he has competed in the meet last year as well.

As a talented athlete, it will be fierce competition against Division I teams, “I am looking forward to the opportunity to run at the meet in Staten Island again this year. I will be chasing the school record in the mile in the invitational heat. The difference between this heat and the collegiate heat is the level of competition. The invitational heat includes not only Division I runners but also professional runners. I am grateful for the chance to run against this level of competition; it is a great experience and the perfect opportunity to run some fast times.”

The Ocean Breeze Complex will also aid the athletes, as it is a banked track, meaning the curves are at a slight angle. Davidson also competed in the meet the year before and loved the track, “It’s an awesome facility and the only banked track we get to race on. Last year, I ran my fastest mile of my life on this track and I’m hoping to go back there this year and run a lifetime best in the mile.”

She also shared her excitement for her teammate, Flank, who is expected to do well in the competition, “Last year, my teammate Jaryd Flank, shattered the Muhlenberg school record in the 5k by 30 seconds so it’s safe to say some pretty amazing things happen on this track [at the Ocean Breeze Complex].”

Both Davidson and Flank want to carry their individual and team’s success into the spring season. Flank is looking forward to getting back outside in the spring, especially to compete in the steeplechase, “I cannot wait to compete in the steeplechase again this spring track season. Last year I made it to the national meet where my season ended falling on the last turn and missing the finals by a couple seconds. I believe this adversity has allowed me to become a better athlete and I’m hoping to use it as motivation to chase my goals and return to the national meet again this year.”

Davidson is hoping to continue the team’s hard work from the winter to the spring, “I am really excited for all of the potential and hard work this team has been contributed to culminate in the spring. I am really excited to see what we can all do together as a team."

Davidson has been on the team for three years, Flank for four years, providing them with the opportunity to become stronger as both individuals and as teammates. The energy from the team has been phenomenal and they truly are close as a team, “It’s really great being a part of such an individual and team sport—it’s the best of both worlds and lets you grow as an individual and grow as a part of something bigger than yourself.”

Davidson, Flank, and the rest of their qualifying teammates are expected to do well in the Fastrack National Invite. They are looking into the future towards the Centennial Conference Championships at Ursinus College Feb. 25-26. The team is also hoping to send qualifying members to represent Muhlenberg in the Indoor and Outdoor Nationals.