SMITHFIELD, R.I. – With strong performances to end the year, 2025 looked to kick off strong for the University of New Haven Men's and Women's Track and Field teams, as it was the throwers that got the new year started off competing at the College Throws Competition at Bryant University. Going up against Division I opponents, the men's team was one of ten, as the women were one of six teams at the meet.

Vanessa Connolly (Portland, Maine/Portland) scored a pair of points for the blue and gold in shot put as Connolly finished eighth overall with a throw of 10.81 meters (m).

Jimmy Oreste (Jamaica, N.Y./) finished third overall in the men's weight throw with a mark of 16.09m, a new season best mark, and scoring six points for New Haven. 

Anita Hodge (Fords, N.J./Woodbridge) finished eighth overall in the women's weight throw landing a mark of 12.71m, scoring a pair of points as well for New Haven.

Richard Fortune (/) added a third place finish and eight points for New Haven in the men's discus with his mark of 43.41m a season best for Fortune.

Alanah Weaver (Wilmington, Del./Archmere Academy) finished seventh overall scoring a pair of points for New Haven in the women's discus landing a mark of 33.10m, a season best for Weaver.

Overall the men's team scored 14 points, finishing fourth overall, as the women's team scored six points, tying with Stonehill for fifth overall.

The throwers kicked off a busy start to the new year as they will return to Connecticut ahead of a weekend with a pair of meets. The teams first stay local as they travel to Southern Connecticut State University to compete at the William Sutherland Invitational on Saturday, January 11. New Haven then has a quick turnaround as they then travel to Boston on Sunday, January 12, to compete at the UMASS Flagship Invitational.  All updates, post meet recaps, and postseason news for the team will be available at Newhavenchargers.com.