SMITHFIELD, Rhode Island. – Off their strong end to 2023, the University of New Haven Men's and Women's Track and Field team opened up the 2024 year with a pair of meets splitting their squad sending their throwers to Bryant University to compete at the Bryant Throws Competition as the rest of the team competed at the TCNJ Lions Indoor Invitational at the friend track of the Armory in New York.
The throwers put on a show as freshmen Richard Fortune () was put at center stage competing in men's discus. The freshman needed only one throw to take the top spot of the meet as an opening mark of 42.12(m) meters rose him up to the top spot forcing everyone to try and match his mark which nobody would and Fortune finished first overall in the event for the meet.
Isabelle Robinson (Hawthorne, N.J./Hawthorne) continued to find success in the circle as the junior finished second overall in the women's weight throw. Robinson opened up the competition with a mark of 13.53m before finding her rhythm on her second throw landing a mark of 14.16m climbing her to second where she would finish with her mark of 14.16m.
Along with Robinson in the weight throw, teammate Jalynn McCown (Guilford, Conn./Guilford) competing try to match and pass Robinson. McCown opened up with a mark of 13.92m and found her release on her third throw where she put the pressure on Robinson with a mark of 14.15m moving her into third place. The Chargers would put the pressure on each other but it was Robinson narrowly besting McCown as McCown finished with her best mark of 14.15m for third just behind Robinson in second place.
J'Quan Athis (New Haven, Conn./Hillhouse) continued to shine throwing as the sophomore picked up where he left off last season opening up in the men's shot put where Athis landed a first mark of 13.38m before responding with a mark of 13.87m climbing him into third place in the event. That mark would hold as Athis's best mark and hold in third place for him.
Senior Carlos Rivera (Stony Point, N.Y./North Rockland) finished third overall in the weight throw. After opening up with a mark of 15.15m, Rivera responded with a mark of 15.75m. Rivera continued to have strong marks but his second throw stood as his best throw as he would finish third overall with his throw of 15.75m.
After a strong start to the new year, the Chargers return to one team and take a shorter travel across the road for their next meet when they travel to Southern Connecticut State University on January 19th to compete at the William Sutherland Invitational. All season updates, schedules, and post-game recaps for the team will be available at Newhavenchargers.com.
