OGINA, 4x100 MENS RELAY TEAM BREAK SCHOOL RECORDS AT MIDDLESEX COLLEGE INIVITATIONAL
Middlesex College hosted its first Track and Field Invitational in over 20 years and the Colts responded with multiple performances that were among the best in the country this year.
The Invitational, held at Piscataway High School, drew athletes from 89 different schools and featured 933 students competing throughout the day.
From a Middlesex College perspective, seven athletes qualified for the NJCAA National Track Meet, two school records were broken and two of the times recorded by Colts were the best in the country this year.
"This team is an incredibly hard working group, and their hard work is paying off," said Middlesex Head Track & Field Coach Chuck Schneekloth. "After two meets, we've qualified for nationals in thirteen events and broken three school records. That speaks volumes of their work ethic, and we're all excited to peak at nationals in a few weeks."
The highlights of the event were two long-standing Middlesex College school records that fell. The Colts 4x100 relay team of Thomas Bell, Axel Romero, Jessi Jimenez and Matt Sutton ran a 43.36, which bested the mark of 43.9 which was set in 1975.
The second record to fall came on the women's side when Tonna Oginna leapt 17'11.5" in the long jump. That distance topped the previous mark of 17'5", which was set by Laurie Wedekind in 1989.
"I'm very proud and happy for Tonna and our 4x100 relay of Tom, Matt, Axel, and Jessi," said Schneekloth. "Breaking school records is a big deal, and these five student-athletes have really earned it over the last eight months of training. They are the consummate ambassadors of Middlesex College."
Both the 4x100 and Oginna's long jump distance are currently the best in the country among NJCAA Division III colleges.
Not to be outdone, the Colts defending National Champion Raven Orange continues to shine on the track. She ran a 16.9 in the 100HH, a mark that is currently the second best time in the country among NJCAA Division III athletes.
Among the other Colts national qualifiers from the Middlesex College Invitational were Jan Nolasco, who ran a 51.28 in the 400M, Angelo Botteon who ran a 4:15.02 in the 1500m, Sutton, who jumped 6.19m in the long jump and Jimenez who ran a 11.17 in the 100m.