WESTFIELD, Mass. – The University of New Haven men's and women's track and field teams combined for an impressive showing at the Yellow Jacket Open on Saturday, totaling multiple event victories and top-three finishes at the John Hoyt Track & Field Complex.
On the women's side, New Haven dominated the hurdles events. Freshman Divine Kabongo (Naugatuck, Conn./Naugatuck) led a 1-2 finish in the 400-meter hurdles, winning the event in 1:10.52, while senior Deja Harris followed in second (1:11.85). Junior Aniya Bush (Williamstown, N.J./Williamstown) added a runner-up finish in the 100-meter hurdles with a time of 16.43.
Freshman Madeline Klecha (Wyckoff, N.J./Ramapo) paced the sprint group with a pair of podium finishes, placing second in the 400-meter dash (1:01.64) and third in the 200-meter dash (26.71). Sophomore Rayniah Mercedat (/) also secured a third-place finish in the 400-meter dash (1:01.86).
In relay action, the quartet of D'Jior Delisser (/), Deja Harris, Lakay-Sha Clarke (/), and Jada Kamtha (St. Catherine, Jamaica/Wolmer's Trust High School for Girls) captured first place in the 4x100-meter relay, finishing in 48.86.
The Chargers excelled in the field events, led by junior D'Jior Delisser (/), who won both the high jump (1.51m) and long jump (5.35m). Senior Gabrielle Teel (Willow Grove, Pa./Upper Moreland) added a first-place finish in the triple jump (11.41m) and placed second in the long jump (5.02m). Sophomore Miana Quinonez (/) tied for second in the high jump (1.45m), while freshman Alicia Brown (West Orange, N.J./West Orange) finished second in the pole vault (2.90m). In the throws, junior Ashley Craig (Teaneck, N.J./Teaneck) placed third in the shot put (10.87m).
On the men's side, New Haven saw strong performances across both track and field events. The Chargers swept the podium in the 400-meter hurdles, led by junior Amir Phelmetto (/) (56.12), followed by senior Nathaniel Peters (57.33) and sophomore Cale Wilson (/) (57.52).
In relay competition, the 4x100-meter team of Noah Cooper (Hopatchong, N.J./Union Catholic), Trevor Rawlinson (/), Liam Buckley-Robinson (Hamden, Conn./Hamden), and Jhelani Anderson (Bronx, N.Y./DeWitt Clinton) secured a first-place finish with a time of 42.98.
Freshman Nathaniel Massingale (Nanuet, N.Y./Nanuet Senior High School) added a third-place finish in the 400-meter dash (51.57), while freshman Timothy Conklin (Wallingford, Conn./Lyman Hall) earned a runner-up finish in the middle-distance events, placing second in the 800 meters (2:02.75).
In the field, New Haven dominated the horizontal jumps. Junior Matthew Steele (North Kingstown, R.I./Bishop Hendricken) won the long jump (6.17m), while teammates Daniel Enrico (Milford, Conn./Foran) and Michael Scrivo (/) tied for second (6.12m). Steele also added a second-place finish in the triple jump (13.57m), while freshman Noah Cooper (Hopatchong, N.J./Union Catholic) claimed the event title with a mark of 13.97 meters.
In the throws, junior Richard Fortune (/) placed second in the shot put (14.55m), and senior Isiah Gibson (Linden, N.J./Linden) added a runner-up finish in the javelin (49.13m).
New Haven will continue its outdoor campaign next weekend as it looks to build on a strong early-season performance.
